TREM1/Dap12-based CAR-T cells show potent antitumor activity

Aim: Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T (CAR-T) cells have gained huge success in treating hematological malignancies, yet the CD3ζ-based CAR-T therapies have not shown comparable clinical benefits in solid tumors. We designed an alternative chimeric immunoreceptor in which a single-chain variable fragment was fused to the transmembrane-cytoplasmic domains of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid (TREM1), which may show potent antitumor activity. Methods: To generate TREM1/DNAX activation protein of 12 kDa (Dap12)-based CAR-T cells, TREM1 along with DAP12 was transduced into T cells. Results: TREM1/Dap12-based CAR-T cells showed more lysis in vitro and a similar antitumor effect in mouse models compared with CD19BBζ CAR-T cells. Conclusion: In this study, we designed a TREM1/Dap12-based CAR, which was not reported previously and demonstrated that TREM1/Dap12-based CAR-T cells had potent antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.