Alfa Cytology Introduces Endogenous T-cell Engagement System Platform for Enhanced Tumor Immunotherapy

Alfa Cytology has unveiled its innovative endogenous T-cell engagement system (ETES™) platform, designed to empower the next generation of tumor immunotherapies by harnessing endogenous T-cells for tumor immunotherapy. This novel platform technology offers a powerful new tool for the preclinical research community in the field of immuno-oncology.

The Endogenous T-cell Engagement System consists of three critical functional domains that work together to selectively and effectively activate endogenous T cells in response to tumor antigens. The Antigen Binding Domain interacts with tumor-specific antigens present on cancer cells, facilitating precise recognition. The TCR Binding Domain interacts with the native T-cell receptor complex to initiate regulated and effective T-cell activation. The Co-Receptor Domain anchors the molecule in the T-cell membrane and regulates T-cell activity by activating or silencing them in response to the presence or absence of a cancer antigen, thus ensuring precise control of the immune response.

Alfa Cytology's Endogenous T-cell Engagement System Platform leverages the body's natural immune system to precisely and safely target and eliminate tumor cells through a multi-step process. Its antigen-binding domain first binds to tumor-specific antigens, ensuring only cancer cells are targeted. Then, the TCR binding domain engages the T-cell receptor, activating the T-cell via its natural pathways without genetic modification. The co-receptor domain subsequently anchors the molecule in the T-cell membrane, modulating activation based on the presence of tumor antigens—thereby ensuring the immune response is activated only when necessary. Finally, upon activation, the T-cells release cytotoxic molecules that destroy the cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue due to this precise targeting.

Current systemically active T-cell engagers often face limitations due to a narrow therapeutic window, according to the Chief Scientific Officer at Alfa Cytology. The ETES™ technology is engineered to overcome this challenge by utilizing protease-specific activity in the tumor microenvironment to activate the therapeutic molecule precisely at the tumor site. This targeted approach is designed to enhance efficacy and improve safety profiles compared to existing therapies.

The ETES™ platform represents a significant leap forward in addressing key challenges of current T-cell engager therapies. By focusing on the selective activation of endogenous T cells within the tumor microenvironment, the platform aims to generate potent anti-tumor activity while minimizing systemic toxicity, a common hurdle with first-generation T-cell engagers. Alfa Cytology is now offering the ETES™ Platform and its associated capabilities to partners in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors for various preclinical applications including target validation, candidate screening, efficacy studies, pharmacokinetic profiling, and safety assessments. For additional details about this technology, visit https://www.alfacytology.com/etes.