| abstract |
The invention relates to an isolated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptide, wherein the CAR comprises an extracellular antigen-binding domain, comprising an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a protein encoded by a herpes virus, or to a protein complex comprising said protein (herpes virus antigen), wherein said herpes virus antigen is present on the surface of a human cell that is latently infected with said herpes virus and supports the lytic phase of viral replication. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR of the invention, a genetically modified immune cell, preferably a T cell, expressing the CAR of the invention and the use of said cell in the treatment of a medical disorder associated with human herpesvirus, such as herpes virus- associated cancers, chronic active herpes virus infections or primary herpes virus infections. In preferred embodiments the herpes virus is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a preferred herpes virus antigen target of the CAR is the EBV glycoprotein 350/220 (gp350/gp220). |