# How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers > 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. - **Patent:** US 9481728 - **Original title:** Compositions and methods for treatment of cancer - **Owner:** University of Pennsylvania Penn - **Granted:** 2016 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 37 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, gene_editing, oncology ## What it does This patent describes a specialized human cell, often a T cell, that has been genetically engineered to fight cancer. The cell contains a 'lentiviral vector' carrying instructions for a 'chimeric antigen receptor' (CAR). This CAR is designed with a 'CD19 antigen binding domain' (specifically, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20) to recognize a protein called CD19 found on certain cancer cells. It also includes a 'transmembrane domain' to anchor it, a 'costimulatory signaling region' with 4-1BB to boost the T cell's activity, and a 'CD3 zeta signaling domain' to trigger the cell to kill the cancer. For example, a patient with leukemia could have their own T cells modified with this CAR and then re-infused to target and destroy their CD19-expressing cancer cells. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover CAR T-cells that target other cancer-specific proteins besides CD19. - Does not cover CAR T-cells that use different costimulatory signaling regions than 4-1BB. - Does not cover CARs that lack a CD3 zeta signaling domain. - Does not cover gene delivery methods other than lentiviral vectors. - Does not cover treating solid tumors, as the claims focus on CD19-expressing cells and hematological cancers. - Does not cover cells that are not derived from a human having cancer for treatment purposes. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the specific combination of genetic elements within the CAR, particularly the CD19 binding domain (SEQ ID NO: 20) paired with the 4-1BB costimulatory signaling region and the CD3 zeta signaling domain. This precise arrangement allows the modified T cells to not only recognize and bind to cancer cells but also to become fully activated and sustained in their attack. ## Real-world examples 1. Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 2. Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for large B-cell lymphoma 3. Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) for mantle cell lymphoma 4. Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) for large B-cell lymphoma 5. Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) for multiple myeloma ## Why it matters This patent is foundational to the field of CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating certain cancers. It specifically details the design of a CAR targeting CD19, a key marker on many blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This technology has led to the development of highly effective treatments for patients who have exhausted other options, transforming the outlook for some hematological malignancies. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers cover? 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. ### Who owns patent US 9481728? University of Pennsylvania Penn owns this patent, granted in 2016. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on December 30, 2035, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 9481728 cited by? This patent has been cited by 37 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is foundational to the field of CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating certain cancers. It specifically details the design of a CAR targeting CD19, a key marker on many blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This technology has led to the development of highly effective treatments for patients who have exhausted other options, transforming the outlook for some hematological malignancies. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover CAR T-cells that target other cancer-specific proteins besides CD19. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9481728/compositions-and-methods-for-treatment-of-cancer **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9481728 --- _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 Attack Cancer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9328156/use-of-chimeric-antigen-receptor-modified-t-cells-to-treat-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. - [Treating a Specific Lymphoma with Modified T Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12600775/chimeric-antigen-receptor-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes a method to treat a difficult-to-treat type of lymphoma by taking a patient's own immune cells, modifying them to recognize and attack cancer, and then giving them back to the patient. - [Targeting Cancer with CAR T Cells Using a Chemical Tag](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240165159/compositions-and-methods-for-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes a method to treat cancer by giving a patient special immune cells (CAR T cells) that recognize a chemical tag, which is attached to a small drug molecule, along with a separate folate compound. - [Targeting Cancer with CAR T Cells Using Small Molecule 'Flags'](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250171803/methods-and-compositions-for-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes a method to treat cancer by giving a patient special immune cells (CAR T cells) that are trained to find a specific 'flag' molecule, and then also giving them a drug molecule attached to that same 'flag' in varying amounts or forms. - [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.