CAR-T cell therapy: a game-changer in cancer treatment and beyond

Clin Transl Oncol. 2024 Jan 20. doi: 10.1007/s12094-023-03368-2. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In recent years, cancer has become one of the primary causes of mortality, approximately 10 million deaths worldwide each year. The most advanced, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy has turned out as a promising treatment for cancer. CAR-T cell therapy involves the genetic modification of T cells obtained from the patient's blood, and infusion back to the patients. CAR-T cell immunotherapy has led to a significant improvement in the remission rates of hematological cancers. CAR-T cell therapy presently limited to hematological cancers, there are ongoing efforts to develop additional CAR constructs such as bispecific CAR, tandem CAR, inhibitory CAR, combined antigens, CRISPR gene-editing, and nanoparticle delivery. With these advancements, CAR-T cell therapy holds promise concerning potential to improve upon traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation while reducing associated toxicities. This review covers recent advances and advantages of CAR-T cell immunotherapy.

Keywords: Bispecific CAR; CAR-T cell therapy; Cancer treatment; Hematologic cancers; Immunotherapy; Inhibitory CAR; Tumor antigens.

Publication types

  • Review