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Drug-Controlled CAR T Cells May Enable Safer Immunotherapy

Researchers at EPFL have created a drug‑controlled CAR‑T platform called DROP‑CAR that can be turned off on demand with the FDA‑approved BCL‑2 inhibitor venetoclax. The system places a reversible protein‑protein interaction on the cell surface, causing the CAR to dissociate when venetoclax is administered and reassemble after drug withdrawal. Pre‑clinical studies in vitro and in mouse tumor models showed effective tumor killing and rapid, reversible suppression of activity without killing the T cells. This approach aims to improve safety and address exhaustion in solid‑tumor CAR‑T therapies.