Definition

A preparation of T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to encode a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein (LMP) 2, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, the LMP2-specific IL-12 secreting TCR-transduced T lymphocytes (TCR-T) recognize and bind to EBV LMP2, which may promote cell death and inhibit the growth of tumor cells expressing LMP2. In addition, IL-12 expression activates the immune system by promoting the secretion of interferon-gamma, activating natural killer cells (NKs), and inducing cytotoxic T-cell responses, which may result in both decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death in LMP2-expressing tumor cells. As a tumor associated antigen (TAA), LMP2 is expressed in various EBV-associated malignancies including nasopharyngeal cancer and EBV-positive Hodgkin lymphoma.