Highly Active CAR T Cells That Bind to a Juxtamembrane Region of Mesothelin and Are Not Blocked by Shed Mesothelin

Significance Mesothelin (MSLN) is a cell-surface protein that is a popular target for antibody-based therapies. We have identified shed MSLN as a major obstacle to successful antibody therapies and prepared a monoclonal antibody that inhibits shedding and makes very active CAR T cells whose activity is not blocked by shed MSLN and merits further preclinical development.