Engineering functionality-optimized fully human B7-H3 CAR T cells for enhanced solid tumor therapy

Summary: B7-H3 is a cell surface protein overexpressed in many solid tumors and an attractive target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. The most clinically advanced B7-H3 CARs derive from murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 376.96 and MGA271 and are now in phase 1/2 trials. However, non-human mAb sequences can provoke immune responses, leading to CAR T cell rejection and therapeutic failure. Although single-chain variable fragment (scFv) humanization reduces this risk, residual foreign residues within variable domains remain. To overcome this limitation, here we use in vitro phage display to generate fully human B7-H3-specific scFvs for CAR design. In pancreatic cancer, neuroblastoma, and glioblastoma xenograft models, CAR T cells incorporating the lead human binder Y111 are well tolerated and demonstrate superior antitumor activity compared with 376.96- and MGA271-based CARs. Y111 CAR treatment induces complete responses, tumor rejection, and significant survival benefits, identifying Y111 as a promising fully human B7-H3 CAR for solid tumors.