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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell aAPC Mediated Activation and Expansion of Natural Killer T Cells
Published on: December 29, 2012
A nanobody-based tri-specific NK cell engager targeting CD5 triggers antitumor immunity
Chen Yang1, Ping Wang2, Mingjun Yang2
1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Chongqing Institute of Health Resources Innovation, Chongqing 400039, China.
None:
The poor prognosis of patients with recurrent or refractory T cell malignancies emphasizes the need for improved immunotherapies. CD5 is a characteristic marker of malignant T cells and is expressed on almost all normal T cells. Therefore, for treating T cell malignancies, focusing on natural killer (NK) cells lacking CD5 expression may elicit a better safety profile than that by T cell-based therapies. We generate a CD5-targeted NK cell engager (NKCE) through the specific binding of CD16a nanobody and a high-affinity anti-CD5 antibody. Its antitumor potency is demonstrated in vitro. After incorporating interleukin (IL)-15Rα/IL-15, the modified tri-NKCE exhibits stronger antitumor efficacy against CD5+ malignant tumor cells, with the production of more cytokines and chemokines. In vivo, tri-NKCE exhibits stronger cytotoxicity by enhancing NK cell proliferation. Compared with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, this tri-NKCE exhibits no toxicity to normal T cells. In conclusion, tri-NKCE offers a safer and cost-effective immunotherapy against T cell malignancies.
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