Abstract 6424: A patient centric full spectrum flow cytometry assay for comprehensive phenotyping of CAR T cells in clinical trials

Abstract

Abstract Purpose While there is a strong desire to fully understand next generation CAR-T product characteristics in clinical trials, limited amounts of blood specimens are available as the enrolled patients are very sick and lymphodepleted. To address this high unmet need, we developed a single tube 20-color full spectrum flow cytometry assay for an in-depth characterization of CAR-T cells that support fulfilment of five key clinical trial endpoints, namely, manufacturing success (fitness and memory state), pharmacokinetics, response or resistance (ICIs), efficacy (gross tumor burden) and safety (B cell regeneration) for use across a broad range of CAR-T therapies and clinical indications. Study Design: The single tube 20-parameter full spectrum flow cytometry (FC) assay was designed to include CD45, HLA-DR, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56 as backbone markers, CD45RA, CCR7, CD95, CD25 and CD127 antibodies allowed for the identification of all major subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells. CXCR3, CD38, PD1, LAG3, and TIM3 were used for identification of activation/exhaustion phenotypes, while CD20 and HLA-DR were useful for identification of B cells and monocytes respectively. Additionally, we left two parameters (PE and AF647) open for customized CAR-T detection reagents or other customized markers. This assay was developed using Cytek® Northern Lights™ and frozen PBMCs. Results This robust 20-color full spectrum FC assay allowed a thorough analysis of the major T cell populations cells. FMO (Fluorescence-Minus-One) control studies confirmed the specificity of the antibodies and of the panel in identifying Naïve, EMRA, CM, EM, Th17, T stem cell memory and regulatory T cells with minimum background on all parameters. This method showed to be highly reproducible and can be adapted for use with many CAR-T detection reagents. Conclusion In summary, we developed a robust 20-parameter multiparameter full spectrum flow cytometry assay focused on different populations of T cells in a single tube. The inclusion of drop ins for prospective CAR-T cell detection reagents allows for easy integration of future advances in CAR-T cell research. This universal panel shows great potential for usage across CAR-T clinical trials, as it serves as a valuable tool understand product fitness, PK, biomarker monitoring and disease burden simultaneously. Citation Format: Keegan Vaughan, Selvam Muthusamy, Coral Zhao, Austin Carbajal, Charlie Fu, Naveen Dakappagari, Zeni Alfonso. A patient centric full spectrum flow cytometry assay for comprehensive phenotyping of CAR T cells in clinical trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6424.