The next innovations in chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapies for cancer

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed cancer treatment and the field of immunotherapy. Although CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated considerable clinical success for the treatment of B cell malignancies, expanding its therapeutic efficacy and accessibility for other hematological malignancies and solid tumors remains a challenge. Key limitations include manufacturing constraints and therapeutic hurdles, such as CAR T cell persistence, proliferation, tumor trafficking and treatment-related toxicities. To overcome the unique challenges associated with CAR T cell therapy, novel technological advancements in CAR design, delivery, and T cell functionality can be leveraged. This review will explore three innovative approaches: gene editing and silencing, armoring strategies and in vivo CAR gene delivery. These approaches are all aimed at enhancing the accessibility and therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in hematological malignancies.

Keywords: CAR T cell therapy; T cell; advanced therapies; cancer immunotherapy; cellular therapy; gene therapy.