CAR T Cells in Solid Tumors: Blueprints for Building Effective Therapies

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2018 Aug 25

PMID 30140266

Citations 110

Authors

Hannah M Knochelmann

Aubrey S Smith

Connor J Dwyer

Megan M Wyatt

Shikhar Mehrotra

Chrystal M Paulos

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Genetic redirection of T lymphocytes with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has soared from treating cancers preclinically to FDA approval for hematologic malignancies and commercial-grade production scale in under 30 years. To date, solid tumors are less susceptible to CAR therapies and instead have been treated more successfully with immune checkpoint blockade or tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy. Here, we discuss the current challenges in treating solid tumors with CAR T cells, and the obstacles within the host and tumor microenvironment hindering their efficacy. We present a novel three-pronged approach for enhancing the efficacy of CAR T cells whereby a single infusion product can synergize the power of an optimal CAR construct, a highly potent T cell subset, and rejuvenate the endogenous immune response to conquer therapeutically-resistant solid tumors.

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