Claudin-6 CAR T cells

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells are T cells given a synthetic receptor so they can recognise a surface protein without MHC. The hard problem in solid tumours is choosing a protein the cancer has and healthy adult tissue does not.

Claudin-6 is an oncofetal tight-junction protein: present in development, mostly off in adult organs, and re-expressed on subsets of testicular, ovarian, and other solid tumours. The CAR is directed at that protein.

Some protocols add a CLDN6-encoding mRNA vaccine after infusion. The idea is to present the same antigen in the lymph node and keep the engineered cells expanded — a CAR plus a boost, rather than a CAR alone.

BNT211 is a first-in-human program of CLDN6-directed CAR T cells, with or without a CLDN6 mRNA vaccine, in patients whose tumours express claudin-6. Early cohorts map dose, lymphodepletion, and whether the vaccine arm changes persistence.

Live record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

• Solid tumour with CLDN6 expression, as defined by the protocol assay
• Adequate organ function for lymphodepletion and cell therapy
• No contraindication to CAR T manufacturing or infusion

Inclusion criteria as written on the registry, trimmed. The full list, with exclusions, is on the live record.