Enriching central memory T cells using novel bioreactor design for T cell manufacturing

Area of Science:

• Cellular biology
• Biotechnology
• Immunotherapy manufacturing

Background:

• Optimizing T cell therapy manufacturing requires high yields of potent T cells.
• A novel bioreactor, the bioreactor with expandable culture area-dual chamber (BECA-D), has shown promise for scaled T cell production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of incorporating a stirring mechanism into the BECA-D bioreactor.
• To assess the effect of stirring on media homogenization, T cell yield, and T cell subpopulation enrichment.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated a stirring mechanism into the BECA-D bioreactor design.
• Compared the stirred BECA-D system with a static BECA-D control and an industry benchmark (G-Rex10).
• Evaluated T cell yield and central memory T cell enrichment.

Main Results:

• Stirring improved media homogenization between the bioreactor chambers.
• The stirred BECA-D system demonstrated higher T cell yields compared to static controls.
• Stirring preferentially enriched central memory T cells, a subpopulation linked to enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating a stirring mechanism into the BECA-D bioreactor is a viable strategy for improving T cell manufacturing.
• This approach enhances T cell yield and promotes the enrichment of therapeutically relevant T cell subsets.
• The stirred BECA-D shows significant potential as a tool for advanced T cell therapy production.