NCIt definition : A preparation of autologous T-lymphocytes that have been transduced with a retroviral
vector to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) consisting of an anti-CD19 single
chain variable fragment (scFv) fused to a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) hinge and
a CD8alpha transmembrane domain, linked to the co-stimulatory molecule 4-1BB (CD137)
and the cytoplasmic portion of the zeta chain of the human T-cell receptor (CD3zeta),
containing the apoptosis-inducible suicide gene human caspase 9 (iCASP9 or iC9), linked
to a drug binding domain, and a truncated low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor
(deltaNGFR), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. The iC9
construct consists of the sequence of the human FK506-binding protein (FKBP12) with
an F36V mutation, connected through a Ser-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser linker to the gene-encoding
human caspase 9, which is deleted of its endogenous caspase activation and recruitment
domain. Upon transfusion, the iCasp9-deltaNGFR-CD19CAR-CD3zeta-4-1BB-expressing autologous
T-lymphocytes target and bind to CD19-expressing neoplastic B-cells. Prior to administration,
deltaNGFR is used to select the CAR19-transduced T-cells for further enrichment by
flow cytometry using an anti-NGFR antibody.;