Technology

Harnessing the Power of the Immune System

T cells are critical to the immune system’s ability to detect and kill cancer cells. However, the immune system is unable to kill cancer cells when tumor-specific T cells are deficient in number, are unable to function properly or fail to recognize cancer as foreign to the body.

We are developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies intended to directly address this problem. Our engineered cell therapy technology is designed to harness the power of a patient’s own immune system to effectively target and attack cancer cells.

Explore CAR T Explore TCR

Collect patient's white blood cells

Isolate and activate T cells

Engineer T cells with CAR or TCR gene

Grow and expand number of T cells

Infuse same patient with engineered T cells

One Mission, Two Platforms

We are developing engineered cell therapies that express either a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a T cell receptor (TCR), depending on the type of cancer. Our dual platform has the potential to address both hematological and solid tumor cancers.

The Science of CAR T

Play CAR Video

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)

CARs are modified proteins composed of two distinct functional components. The first consists of an antibody fragment or target binding domain that allows CARs to recognize targets that are present on the surface of cancer cells. The second provides signals that are designed to rapidly and powerfully activate the T cell to attack cancer cells. We are developing multiple CAR product candidates, including axicabtagene ciloleucel and KTE-C19, while continuing to innovate the next generation of CAR-engineered T cells.

The Science of TCR

Play TCR Video

T Cell Receptor (TCR)

TCRs are proteins that allow T cells to identify cancer targets presented on the surface of cancer cells or inside cancer cells. Endogenous TCRs that are specific to a cancer can be isolated and then engineered into a large number of T cells that recognize and attack various types of solid and hematologic cancers. Kite, in collaboration with its partners, is currently advancing several TCR programs that target cancer-specific proteins such as cancer testis antigens, viral antigens and neo antigens. Kite is also leveraging its proprietary TCR-GENErator™ discovery platform for rapid, high-throughput identification of TCR-based product candidates.