Fig. 1.
T cells can be engineered to have retargeted specificity for tumors. Bispecific T cells are created by introduction of genes that encode T-cell receptors (TCRs) and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) of desired specificity and affinities for tumors. CARs target surface antigens in an MHC-independent fashion. The T cells retain expression of the endogenous TCR, unless this is knocked down by various approaches. Abbreviations are as follows: Costim, cosignaling domain such as CD28 or 4-1BB; LAT, linker for activation of T cells; scFv, single-chain variable fragment; ZAP70, ζ chain associated protein kinase 70 kDa.