Meeting on the Med 2021 | Targeting solid tumors: SPEAR T-cells & HLA-independent TCRs

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, provides an overview of the specific peptide enhanced affinity receptor (SPEAR) T-cell platform, which involves genetically engineering T-cell receptors to enhance their ability to recognize specific peptide antigens, thus increasing the immune system’s ability to recognize and target cancer cells. This technology is currently being investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of a range of solid tumors, such as the Phase II SPEARHEAD-1 trial (NCT04044768) in patients with synovial sarcoma. A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-independent T-cell receptor (TCR) platform is also currently in development, which would allow the targeting of tumor cells without the need for HLA subtyping. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.