Science Highlights
Published on February 17, 2026
Comparing FLT3-targeted BiTEs and CAR T cells in AML
by Blood Advances
Rohrbacher L, Nixdorf D, Stadler H, et al. FLT3-Directed BiTE Molecules Versus CAR T Cells in AML: Co-Stimulatory Signals Mitigate T-Cell Exhaustion. Blood Advances. 2025; (doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2025018168).
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is considered a viable and selective target for immunotherapy against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), based on new research. The study included direct comparison of an FLT3-directed bispecific T-cell engage (BiTE) molecule and FLT3-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Both mechanisms demonstrated robust cytotoxicity against AML without harming healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro, but there were notable differences in functional and transcriptional behavior. In AML xenograft models, CAR T cells outperformed BiTE molecules with respect to tumor control, prolonged survival, and T-cell infiltration. The FLT3 T cells benefited from an intrinsic co-stimulatory environment, which limited their dependence on AML-driven signals, while the FLT3 BiTE molecule suffered from an exhaustion-associated gene signature observed in samples taken from treated mice. However, the introduction of CD86-mediated co-stimulatory signaling increased antitumor activity of BiTE-redirected T cells in vitro and in vivo.
Read More
![]()