Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Based Immunotherapy for Cancer

Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2018;13(5):327-335. doi: 10.2174/1574888X13666180420110239.

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy, a new weapon against cancers by harnessing the patient's own immune system, potentiates an extended remission and possibly a cure for cancer. T cells genetically engineered with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) vectors can specifically target the surface antigen of cancer cells and kill them in an MHC-independent manner. CD19 is extensively expressed on cancerous cells in B cell malignancies. To target this antigen, CAR T cells have gained great success in treating patients with B cell leukemia and lymphoma. Currently, the data from clinical trials on CAR T cells in solid tumors are limited; thus, CAR T cells targeting GD2, HER2, EGFRvIII, CSPG4, DNAX, mesothelin, and other molecules are under active investigation for solid tumors. In this review, we summarize the clinical results for CAR T cells in the case of hematologic and solid tumors, along with the current developments in CAR T cell immunotherapy.

Keywords: CAR T cells; Cancer immunotherapy; cancer cells; hematologic malignancies; leukemia; solid tumor..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive* / adverse effects
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive* / trends
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / transplantation

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins