A follow-up meeting of project DESCARTHeS, a multicenter initiative focused on the application of CART cells for solid and hematological tumors, was held on June 25. Due to the status pandemic by COVID-19, the meeting was held telematically.

Representatives from Cima University of Navarra, the Clínica Universidad de NavarraNavarra Hospital Complex (CHN), Navarrabiomed and business Recombina showed the results of the activities carried out in the different packages of work.

On the one hand, a summary of the activities carried out at the Cima and the Clinic in the field of hematological tumors was presented. Specifically, the results of development and characterization of CART against CD33 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia were presented. In addition, representatives of Recombina showed the strategy for the production of DNA minicircles as well as the data of the productions carried out so far. On the other hand, Navarrabiomed shared the results of the effect of several MAP kinase inhibitors on the proliferative capacity of activated T lymphocytes. Finally, the advances made by CHN and Cima in the identification of targets for the development of CART against gastrointestinal tumors were shared.

The members of project agreed to continue with the planned phases. Among the multicenter actions to be carried out they highlighted:

- Test new minicircle productions for improved gene transfer.

- Finalize the optimization and characterization of CART against CD33 both in vitro and in vivo.

- Continue characterization of MAPK inhibitors in CART cells.

- To evaluate the specific expression of selected targets in samples from a cohort of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.