Definition

A preparation of autologous T lymphocytes ex vivo transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2; A2 isoform of claudin-18), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the autologous anti-CLDN18.2CAR-transduced T lymphocytes specifically recognize and induce selective toxicity in CLDN18.2-expressing tumor cells. CLDN18.2, a tight junction protein, is expressed on a variety of tumor cells, but its expression in healthy tissues is strictly confined to short-lived differentiated epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa.