# How Genetically Modified T-Cells Attack Cancer > This patent describes how human T cells are genetically engineered to express a special receptor (CAR) that specifically targets and kills cancer cells, particularly those with the CD19 marker, offering a new way to treat cancer. - **Patent:** US 9328156 - **Original title:** Use of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells to treat cancer - **Owner:** University of Pennsylvania Penn - **Granted:** 2016 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 65 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, gene_editing, oncology ## What it does This patent describes a pharmaceutical composition containing human T cells that have been genetically modified. These T cells are engineered to produce a special protein on their surface called a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR). This CAR is designed with several key parts: a 'CD19 antigen binding domain' that acts like a hook to specifically grab onto CD19 proteins found on certain cancer cells, a 'transmembrane domain' that anchors the CAR to the T cell's surface, a '4-1BB costimulatory signaling region' that helps activate the T cell, and a 'CD3 zeta signaling domain' (specifically using the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24) which is crucial for the T cell to launch its attack. When these modified T cells are given to a human with cancer, they are designed to find and destroy cancer cells expressing CD19. For example, a patient with a type of leukemia or lymphoma that has CD19-positive cancer cells could receive these specially prepared T cells to fight their disease. ## What it does NOT cover - CAR T-cell therapies that target cancer cells expressing antigens other than CD19. - CAR T-cell therapies that use a costimulatory signaling region different from 4-1BB. - CAR T-cell therapies where the CD3 zeta signaling domain does not match the specific amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24. - T-cell therapies that are not genetically modified to express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR). - CAR T-cell therapies intended for uses other than treating cancer in a human. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the specific combination of a CD19-targeting domain with both a 4-1BB costimulatory signal and a CD3 zeta signaling domain within a single CAR. This particular arrangement ensures that the engineered T cells not only recognize cancer cells but also receive the necessary 'go' signals to become fully activated, multiply, and persist in the body to effectively fight the tumor. ## Real-world examples 1. Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for certain leukemias and lymphomas 2. Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for certain lymphomas 3. Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) for certain lymphomas 4. Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) for certain lymphomas ## Why it matters This patent is foundational to the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a significant advancement in cancer treatment. It details the specific engineering of T cells to target CD19, a marker found on many blood cancers. This technology has led to the creation of 'living drugs' that can achieve deep and lasting remissions in patients with certain types of leukemia and lymphoma who previously had limited options. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Genetically Modified T-Cells Attack Cancer cover? This patent describes how human T cells are genetically engineered to express a special receptor (CAR) that specifically targets and kills cancer cells, particularly those with the CD19 marker, offering a new way to treat cancer. ### Who owns patent US 9328156? University of Pennsylvania Penn owns this patent, granted in 2016. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on December 16, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 9328156 cited by? This patent has been cited by 65 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is foundational to the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a significant advancement in cancer treatment. It details the specific engineering of T cells to target CD19, a marker found on many blood cancers. This technology has led to the creation of 'living drugs' that can achieve deep and lasting remissions in patients with certain types of leukemia and lymphoma who previously had limited options. ### What does this patent NOT cover? CAR T-cell therapies that target cancer cells expressing antigens other than CD19. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9328156/use-of-chimeric-antigen-receptor-modified-t-cells-to-treat-cancer **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9328156 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9481728/compositions-and-methods-for-treatment-of-cancer) — This patent describes how to create and use genetically modified human T cells that target and kill cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, offering a new way to treat blood cancers. - [Predicting and Treating Dangerous Side Effects in CAR T-Cell Therapy](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12163952/determining-toxicity-risk-in-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes methods to identify patients at high risk for severe side effects, like cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity, during CAR T-cell cancer therapy and how to treat them proactively. - [Treating Liver Cancer with Specially Trained Immune Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12168044/peptides-and-combination-of-peptides-for-use-in-immunotherapy-against-non-small-) — This patent describes a method for treating hepatocellular cancer by giving patients specially activated immune cells that are trained to recognize and kill cancer cells displaying a specific protein fragment. - [How a Specific Protein Fragment Can Train Immune Cells to Fight Cancer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10314897/peptides-and-combination-of-peptides-for-use-in-immunotherapy-against-various-ca) — This patent describes methods to fight various cancers by using a specific protein fragment (peptide LYHDIFSRL) to train a patient's immune cells to recognize and attack tumor cells. - [How Genentech's Antibody Targets Cancerous B Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9845355/tecentriq-atezolizumab) — This patent describes a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells.