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Junction opener enables CAR T cell treatment of solid tumors
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  • Published: 07 March 2026

Junction opener enables CAR T cell treatment of solid tumors

  • Steven J. Reed1,
  • Shibbu Sharma1,
  • Carrie Novák1,
  • Jiho Kim1,2,
  • Kaman Kim3,
  • Erene Niemi3,
  • Nicholas Korjeff3,
  • André Lieber4,
  • Steven G. Reed1,
  • Malcolm S. Duthie1 &
  • …
  • Darrick Carter1,2 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Cancer immunotherapy
  • Cancer therapeutic resistance

Abstract

Physical barriers presented by solid tumors limit CAR T cell efficacy. Thus, technologies to increase CAR T cell access to solid tumors could have massive implications in advancing CAR T cell therapies. Here we demonstrate that treatment of solid tumor-bearing mice with our Junction Opener technology and CAR T cells enhances tumor control - potentially enabling CAR T cell immunotherapy for solid tumors.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are included in the figures of this manuscript. Raw data files are available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of Xyphos, an Astellas company.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Christopher Pirie and Charles Vacin for contributions in organizing the study and interpretation of results.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA

    Steven J. Reed, Shibbu Sharma, Carrie Novák, Jiho Kim, Steven G. Reed, Malcolm S. Duthie & Darrick Carter

  2. PAI Life Sciences Inc, 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 250, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA

    Jiho Kim & Darrick Carter

  3. Xyphos Biosciences, an Astellas Company, 480 Forbes Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA

    Kaman Kim, Erene Niemi & Nicholas Korjeff

  4. Division of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    André Lieber

Authors
  1. Steven J. Reed
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  2. Shibbu Sharma
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  3. Carrie Novák
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  4. Jiho Kim
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  5. Kaman Kim
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  6. Erene Niemi
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  7. Nicholas Korjeff
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  8. André Lieber
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  9. Steven G. Reed
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  10. Malcolm S. Duthie
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  11. Darrick Carter
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Contributions

SJR, MSD, KK, and DC authored the manuscript, all authors reviewed the manuscript. SJR, EN, NK, CN, SS, JK and MSD performed the research. All authors participated in the experimental design and write-up.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Darrick Carter.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

HDT Bio Corp. holds a license for the JO-4 technology and is assisting in its clinical development. KK, NK, and EN are employees of Astellas. Astellas funded the research. SJR, CN, SS, AL, SGR, MSD, and DC hold shares in HDT Bio Corp.

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Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information. (download PDF )

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Cite this article

Reed, S.J., Sharma, S., Novák, C. et al. Junction opener enables CAR T cell treatment of solid tumors. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43093-8

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  • Received: 29 January 2025

  • Accepted: 02 March 2026

  • Published: 07 March 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43093-8

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Keywords

  • CAR T cells
  • Infiltration
  • Tumor microenvironment
  • Junction opener
  • Solid tumors
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