GD2-specific CAR T cells encapsulated in an injectable hydrogel control retinoblastoma and preserve vision

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a pediatric retinal tumor that overexpresses the ganglioside GD2. Although it is treatable in patients with early diagnosis, patients may lose one or two eyes. We generated GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor T lymphocytes (GD2.CAR-Ts) and locally delivered them to mice with an in situ grafting RB. We showed that, when used in combination with the local release of interleukin-15 and an injectable hydrogel, GD2.CAR-Ts successfully eliminate RB tumor cells without impairing mouse vision. Han and colleagues develop a CAR T cell directed at GD2, a molecule overexpressed in retinoblastoma, which showed efficacy against murine retinoblastoma when combined with IL-15 in a hydrogel delivery system.