GLUT1 overexpression in CAR-T cells induces metabolic reprogramming and enhances potency

The intensive nutrient requirements needed to sustain T cell activation and proliferation combined with competition for nutrients within the tumor microenvironment raise the prospect that glucose availability may limit CAR T cell function. Here, we sought to test the hypothesis that stable overexpression (OE) of the glucose transporter GLUT1 in primary human CAR-T cells would improve their function and antitumor potency. We observed that GLUT1OE in CAR-T cells increased glucose consumption, glycolysis, glycolytic reserve and oxidative phosphorylation and these effects were associated with decreased T cell exhaustion and increased Th17 differentiation. GLUT1OE also induced broad metabolic reprogramming associated with increased glutathione41 mediated resistance to reactive oxygen species, and increased inosine accumulation. When challenged with tumors, GLUT1OE CAR-T cells secreted more proinflammatory cytokines and mediated enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro and demonstrated superior tumor control and persistence in vivo. Our collective findings support a model wherein glucose availability is rate limiting for optimal effector CAR-T cell function and demonstrate that enhancing glucose availability via GLUT1OE provides a new approach to augment antitumor immune function.