Xin Zhao

Title: Xin Zhao: Advancing CAR-T Cancer Immunotherapy

Introduction

Xin Zhao is an inventor associated with Clifton, New Jersey, and Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc. Her work includes a patent describing molecular engineering approaches intended to enhance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy for hematologic cancers.

Latest Patents

Zhao is named on 1 patent, titled “Molecular Engineering to Enhance CAR-T Mediated Tumor Immunotherapy.” The disclosure describes genetically modifying immune effector cells, including T cells or natural killer cells, to express a CAR that recognizes a cancer antigen. It also outlines expanding the engineered cells in the presence of cytokines to produce a therapeutic dose with a nonexhausted memory T-cell phenotype.

The CAR’s intracellular signaling components include 4-1BB, the CD3ζ T-cell activation chain, and engineered TLE3. According to the patent disclosure, engineered TLE3 may promote genes associated with antitumor activity while repressing genes linked to excessive effector function, cellular exhaustion, or both. The described approach includes preclinical testing in vitro and in xenograft models, as well as infusing eligible subjects with the engineered cells as needed.

Career Highlights

The patent connects Zhao’s work with research into engineered immune cells and potential strategies for improving their antitumor activity and persistence. The disclosed methods focus on combining CAR signaling with engineered TLE3 to influence immune-cell function.

Collaborations

The patent’s listed collaborators include Hai-Hui Xue and Yi Zhang. Zhao is associated with Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc., where the work is connected to research on cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusion

Xin Zhao’s patent describes an engineered CAR immunotherapy approach that combines established CAR signaling components with TLE3 engineering to support immune-cell activity against hematologic cancers.