UCSF researchers developed B-SYNC, a preclinical CAR T-cell platform that uses brain-associated brevican to trigger tumor-targeting CAR expression.
2
After sensing brevican, B-SYNC cells target either EphA2 or IL-13Rα2, antigens associated with diffuse midline glioma.
3
In mouse models, intravenous B-SYNC treatment produced complete tumor regression in 7 of 14 and 4 of 11 animals across two models.
4
Ventricular administration eliminated tumors in all 19 treated mice across two models, and surviving animals resisted tumor rechallenge.
5
A B7-H3-targeting circuit caused fatal neurotoxicity in mice, while a modified circuit cleared tumors without detectable neurotoxicity; dosing and safety need further study.
Power List 2026 honoree Harold Keer traces oncology’s transformation – and considers what it will take to turn today’s “abundance of riches” into better patient outcomes
