Immunotherapy of cancer using genetically engineered gd2-specific t cells

Abstract

The present invention concerns immunotherapy for cancers having cells that comprise the ganglioside GD2 antigen. In specific embodiment, T cells having a chimeric receptor that targets GD2 is employed. In particular cases, the chimeric receptor comprises antibody, cytoplasmic signaling domain from the T cell receptor, and/or costimulatory molecule(s).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of targeting a cancer cell having a GD2 antigen, comprising the steps of providing to the cell a cytotoxic T lymphocyte with a chimeric receptor that recognizes the GD2 antigen. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer cell is in vitro or in vivo. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chimeric receptor comprises antibody that binds GD2 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is a scFv antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is the 14g2a scFv antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chimeric receptor comprises the effector domain of the T-cell receptor zeta chain or related signal transduction endodomains derived from the T cell receptor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chimeric receptor comprises one or more costimulatory molecules. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the costimulatory molecules comprise CD28, OX40, 4-1BB, or a combination thereof.