Our shRNA armored CAR, or shARC, platform explores an armoring CAR technology in conjunction with our shRNA platform to develop allogeneic CAR Ts to further optimize cell therapies for cancer patients. Armored CAR Ts are T cells engineered to co-express a CAR as well as secrete specific cytokines in order to increase the anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells. These armored CAR Ts fortify the cell therapy to overcome the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) and drive a strong anti-tumor effect.

Our first armored CAR Ts are focused on the expression of Interleukin-18 (IL-18). We believe IL-18 is an ideal cytokine for shARC as it directly increases the anti-cancer activity of CAR T cells while also altering the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cells within tumor tissue.

Arming CAR Ts with IL-18 offer two key effects:

1. an autocrine effect, where the IL-18 cytokine can have a beneficial impact on the CAR T cell function and;
2. a paracrine effect, where the IL-18 cytokine can drive the strongly immunosuppressive environment, present within the majority of tumors, to an environment that's more pro-inflammatory.