Definition

A preparation of autologous T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) encoding human natural-killer group 2, member D receptor protein (NKG2D or KLRK1) coupled to the co-immunostimulatory signaling domain 4-1BB, normally expressed on T cells, and linked to the intracellular CD3 zeta domain (CD3z), which is needed for TCR signaling, with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon infusion back into the patient, autologous NKG2D CAR T cells KD-025 specifically recognize and bind to tumor cells expressing NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs), resulting in cytokine secretion and lysis of NKG2D ligand-expressing tumor cells. NKG2DLs, such as MICA, MICB, and members of the UL16-binding proteins (ULBP)/retinoic acid early transcript 1 (RAET1) family, are overexpressed on a variety of cancer cell types, but are not expressed on most normal, healthy cells.