CAR-T cell therapy targeting MUC17 in gastric tumors

BACKGROUND: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved significant success in hematologic malignancies; however, its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. A major limitation is the difficulty in identifying suitable target antigens that are abundantly expressed on the surface of tumor cells while sparing life-sustaining normal tissues. METHODS: We identified MUC17, a membrane-tethered mucin-type glycoprotein with minimal expression in normal tissues and frequent upregulation in gastric cancers, as a potential target for CAR-T therapy. We developed and validated MUC17-specific CAR-T cells incorporating a 4-1BB/CD3ζ signaling domain. In vitro assays assessed cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, and T cell phenotypes across multiple gastric cancer cell lines, including CRISPR-mediated MUC17 knockout controls. In vivo efficacy was evaluated using NSG xenograft models. RESULTS: MUC17 CAR-T cells exhibited potent, antigen-specific cytotoxicity, robust cytokine release, and sustained effector functions characterized by enrichment of central memory phenotypes. In vivo, MUC17 CAR-T cells significantly suppressed tumor growth without signs of toxicity in GSU and ASPC-1 models. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support MUC17 as a promising immunotherapeutic target for gastric cancer and demonstrate how targeting glycocalyx-associated antigens can expand the range of surface proteins amenable to CAR-T cell-based therapies in solid tumors.