Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks

Chlorotoxin derived from scorpion venom has previously been shown to bind glioblastoma cells. Wang et al. designed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based on chlorotoxin to surmount limitations of other glioblastoma-targeted CARs that have not been able to overcome tumor heterogeneity and antigen escape. They demonstrated that chlorotoxin binding captures a broader array of primary tumors than staining for previously identified antigenic targets. Chlorotoxin-directed CAR T cells were safe in mice and induced regression of orthotopic glioblastoma xenografts with no evidence of antigen escape. These toxin-based CAR T cells are distinct from conventional CAR design and could one day be used to deliver a poisonous blow to glioblastoma.