Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy has shown great potential in the immunotherapy of patients with hematologic malignancies. In spite of this striking achievement, there are still major challenges to overcome in CAR T cell therapy of solid tumors, including treatment-related toxicity and specificity. Also, other obstacles may be encountered in tackling solid tumors, such as their immunosuppressive microenvironment, the heterogeneous expression of cell surface markers, and the cumbersome arrival of T cells at the tumor site. Although several strategies have been developed to overcome these challenges, aditional research aimed at enhancing its efficacy with minimum side effects, the design of precise yet simplified work flows and the possibility to scale-up production with reduced costs and related risks is still warranted. Here, we review main strategies to establish a balance between the toxicity and activity of CAR T cells in order to enhance their specificity and surpass immunosuppression.In recent years, many clinical studies have been conducted that eventually led to approved products. To date, the FDA has approved two anti-CD19 CAR T cell products for non-Hodgkin lymphoma therapy, i.e., axicbtagene ciloleucel and tisagenlecleucel. With all the advances that have been made in the field of CAR T cell therapy for hematologic malignancies therapy, ongoing studies are focused on optimizing its efficacy and specificity, as well as reducing the side effects. Also, the efforts are poised to broaden CAR T cell therapeutics for other cancers, especially solid tumors.
Highlights
Cancer immunotherapy is referred to as any form of intervention that forces the immune system to eliminate malignancy
Here, we review main strategies to establish a balance between the toxicity and activity of Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in order to enhance their specificity and surpass immunosuppression
With all the advances that have been made in the field of CAR T cell therapy for hematologic malignancies therapy, ongoing studies are focused on optimizing its efficacy and specificity, as well as reducing the side effects
Summary
CAR T cell therapy against B cell malignancies has exceeded expectations, leading to FDA approved CAR T cell products and several CAR T cell-based clinical trials. Due to this effective aftermath, CAR T cell therapy is considered as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. To surmount the barriers in CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors, novel developments are aimed at structures that are: synchronically targeting several antigens, equipped by sensors that facilitate effective CAR T cell trafficking, enhanced by sensors that help distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, and genetically modified to increase potency and resistance to immune-suppressive factors in the tumor niche.
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