The safety and efficacy of CAR-T cells in the treatment of prostate cancer: review

Biomarkers. 2022 Feb;27(1):22-34. doi: 10.1080/1354750X.2021.2016973. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Abstract

Objective: A new breakthrough development in cancer treatment is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy. In this review, we focussed on its efficacy & safety in prostate cancer, obstacles impeding its clinical use, and some strategies trying to overcome them.

Methods: Searching for relevant articles was done using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Studies had to be published in full-text in English in order to be considered.

Results: Many factors can limit optimal CAR-T cell outcomes, including the hostile Prostate microenvironment, age, comorbidities, and tumour grade. The adverse effects of the therapy, particularly the cytokine release syndrome, are a major source of worry after treatment administration. Attempts to alter gamma/delta T-cells and NK cells with CAR, on the other hand, have demonstrated higher effectiveness and safety than conventional CAR-T cells.

Conclusion: To improve the use of immunotherapies, a greater understanding of the prostate cancer microenvironment is required. Concerning toxicity, more research is needed to find the most specific and highly expressed prostate antigens. Furthermore, discovering predictive biomarkers for toxicities, as well as choosing the correct patient for therapy, might decrease immune-related side effects and achieve a greater response.

Keywords: CAR T cell; Prostate cancer; chimeric antigen receptor; immunotherapy; targeted prostate antigens.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen*
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen