Chimeric NK receptor and methods for treating cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

1 . A nucleic acid construct for expressing a chimeric receptor to reduce or eliminate a tumor comprising:
 a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a promoter operably linked to   a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric receptor comprising a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif of SEQ ID NO:1.   
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 , wherein the construct is in a vector. 
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 1  further comprising a suicide gene. 
     
     
         4 . An isolated T cell comprising the nucleic acid construct of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . An isolated T cell comprising the vector of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         6 . A method for reducing or preventing tumors comprising transducing a nucleic acid construct of  claim 1  into an isolated T cell so that the chimeric receptor is expressed on the surface of the T cell, and injecting the transduced T cell into a subject having or suspected of having a tumor so that anti-tumor immunity is activated in the subject thereby reducing or preventing the tumor. 
     
     
         7 . A method for decreasing a population of regulatory T cells comprising transducing a nucleic acid construct of  claim 1  into an isolated T cell so that the chimeric receptor is expressed on the surface of the T cell, and injecting the transduced T cell into a subject in need of treatment thereby decreasing the subject's regulatory T cell population.