Abstract 49: LYL119, an investigational ROR1-targeted CAR T-cell product incorporating four novel reprogramming technologies designed for effective cell therapy for solid tumors
Authors: Viola C. Lam, Aileen Li, Meritxell Galindo Casas, Jessica Barragan, Christina Cheung, Jessica Briones, Esha Afreen, Grant Vavra, Jia Lu, Purnima Sundar, Rowena Martinez, Candace Sims, Shobha Potluri, Omar Ali, Alexander S. Cheung, Rachel C. Lynn
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Effective solid tumor cell therapy requires new strategies to improve T-cell activation, persistence, and durable function. We developed four complementary T-cell reprogramming technologies to enhance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in solid tumors: 1) overexpression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) family transcription factor c-Jun to delay T-cell exhaustion and improve antitumor activity; 2) nuclear receptor subfamily 4A member 3 (NR4A3) gene knockout (KO) to further delay exhaustion and enhance functionality; 3) Epi-RTM manufacturing protocols to preserve stem-like characteristics; and 4) Stim-RTM technology, a novel activating reagent to improve product potency compared with standard reagents. LYL119 is an investigational ROR1-targeted CAR T-cell product that combines these technologies to create potent and durable CAR T cells. Healthy or NSCLC patient donor T cells were manufactured with the Epi-R protocols, activated with Stim-R or a standard reagent, and transduced with a vector encoding a ROR1 CAR and c-Jun. The NR4A3 gene or a control gene was edited using SpyFiTM Cas9 nuclease (Aldevron®). Cytotoxicity, cytokine production, phenotype, and single-cell transcriptomic and epigenetic profiles were evaluated in vitro after antigen restimulation assays designed to promote exhaustion. CAR T cell activity was evaluated in vivo using a ROR1+ NSCLC xenograft mouse model. Research and clinical scale LYL119 products achieved ~90% genome editing efficiency at the NR4A3 target gene resulting in a 13-fold protein reduction compared to non-edited CAR T cells. LYL119 exhibited superior cytotoxicity and cytokine production upon antigen restimulation across 7 different ROR1+ solid tumor cell lines compared to CAR T cells that lacked one or more reprogramming technologies. After repeated rounds of tumor cell killing, LYL119 displayed reduced surface expression of exhaustion-related receptors (e.g. TIM-3) and higher expression of stemness-related markers (e.g. CD127) compared to non-edited CAR T cells. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed global downregulation of exhaustion-related gene signatures and retention of unique cell subsets characterized by upregulation of memory and effector-associated gene signatures. LYL119 exhibited robust antitumor efficacy in vivo across a 10-fold dose range, including a very low dose of 1 × 105 CAR T cells. Lastly, LYL119 derived from NSCLC patient donor T cells also demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro compared to control CAR T cells. These nonclinical data suggest LYL119, which combines c-Jun overexpression, NR4A3 KO, Epi-R protocols, and Stim-R technology, can limit exhaustion, maintain stem-like features, and has the potential to provide effective and durable CAR T-cell antitumor activity in patients with ROR1+ solid tumors. Citation Format: Viola C. Lam, Aileen Li, Meritxell Galindo Casas, Jessica Barragan, Christina Cheung, Jessica Briones, Esha Afreen, Grant Vavra, Jia Lu, Purnima Sundar, Rowena Martinez, Candace Sims, Shobha Potluri, Omar Ali, Alexander S. Cheung, Rachel C. Lynn. LYL119, an investigational ROR1-targeted CAR T-cell product incorporating four novel reprogramming technologies designed for effective cell therapy for solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 49.