OnCo
technologiesTechnologyPhase 1

In vivo CAR-T

Instead of engineering T cells in a factory, an injection reprograms them inside the patient's body.

Targeted lipid nanoparticles (Capstan/AbbVie CPTX2309, Orna) or lentiviral vectors (Umoja, Interius INT2104) deliver CAR-encoding mRNA or DNA to T cells in vivo. First-in-human data (2025-26) show B-cell depletion and responses without lymphodepletion or manufacturing wait. Transient mRNA expression may reduce long-term risk. Capstan was acquired by AbbVie for up to $2.1B in 2025, signalling the field's expectations.

Schematic · not to scale
Targeted LNP with CAR mRNA · T cell reprogrammed in the body

How it works

CD8- or CD3-targeted LNP or viral vector transduces circulating T cells to express a CAR in situ.

Strengths
  • Off-the-shelf, redosable, no lymphodepletion
  • Potentially 10x cheaper
Limitations
  • Transduction efficiency and durability
  • Off-target transfection
  • Very early
Since
2024

Key papers

1top

Latest papers

top
Literature trend102 papers in the last 12 months+364% vs prior 12How this is computed
Latest papers · live from Europe PMC
Open in Europe PMC

Query for this technology: (TITLE:"in vivo CAR T" OR ABSTRACT:"in vivo CAR T" OR TITLE:"in vivo CAR-T" OR ABSTRACT:"in vivo CAR-T" OR TITLE:"in vivo chimeric antigen receptor" OR ABSTRACT:"in vivo chimeric antigen receptor"). Results are unfiltered search hits about In vivo CAR-T, not a curated reading list.

Connected

27top