NCIt definition : A preparation of autologous T-lymphocytes engineered to express a chimeric antigen
receptor (CAR) specific for the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) cluster of differentiation
19 (CD19) fused to the extracellular, transmembrane and intracellular signaling domains
of the T-cell co-stimulatory receptor CD28 and the cytoplasmic signaling domain of
the zeta chain of the TCR/CD3 complex (CD3-zeta) (19-28z), and expressing the human
pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 18 (IL-18), with potential immunomodulating
and antineoplastic activities. Upon intravenous administration, autologous 19-28z/IL-18
CAR T-lymphocytes target, bind to, and induce selective toxicity in CD19-expressing
tumor cells. IL-18 promotes T-cell persistence and potentiates the immune response
against tumor cells. CD19 is a B-cell-specific cell surface antigen overexpressed
in B-cell lineage tumors. Incorporation of costimulatory signaling domains increases
human T-cell function, expansion, and survival.;