Evolving Exhaustion of T Cells during the Course of the Disease in AML Can be Abrogated By CD33 BiTE ® Construct Mediated Cytotoxicity

Novel immunotherapeutic strategies like BiTE ® (bispecific T cell engager) constructs aim to eradicate neoplastic cells by TCR-independent T-cell activation, and therefore rely on the function of autologous T cells. Currently, their efficacy is also evaluated in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous data demonstrated dysfunction in CD8 + T cells of AML patients (Knaus et al 2018). Thus, we aimed to characterize the progressive modulation of T-cell activity over the course of AML progression to improve the optimal application of T-cell based immunotherapeutic approaches.