NCIt definition : A preparation of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) genetically engineered
to express a co-stimulatory antigen receptor (CoStAR) specific for folate receptor
alpha (FolRa; FOLR1) and linked to the co-stimulatory domains CD28 and CD40, with
potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the
anti-FOLR1 CoStAR-expressing autologous TILs ITIL-306 specifically target, bind to
and kill the FOLR1-expressing tumor cells. In addition, ITIL-306, by binding to FOLR1,
is able to activate the TILs through the costimulatory signals. This increases T-cell
proliferation and activation in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby enhancing
the T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response against the FOLR1-expressing tumor
cells. FOLR1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linked cell-surface glycoprotein that
is widely expressed in certain cancers while its expression is limited in normal tissues.
CoStAR provides synthetic costimulation in the TME and increases T-cell proliferation
and survival, and improves the effector function of T-cells, which may boost the efficacy
of TILs.;