Work

CD28z CARs and Armored CARs

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are currently being tested in the clinic with very promising outcomes. However, limitations to CAR T cell therapy exist. These include lack of efficacy against some tumors, specific targeting of tumor cells without affecting normal tissue and retaining activity within the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Whereas promising clinical trials are in progress, preclinical development is focused on optimizing CAR design, to generate "armored CAR T cells," which are protected from the inhibitory tumor microenvironment. Studies investigating the expression of cytokine transgenes, combination therapy with small molecule inhibitors, or monoclonal antibodies, are aimed at improving the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cell therapy. Other strategies aimed at improving CAR T cell therapy include using dual CARs and chemokine receptors to more specifically target tumor cells. This review will describe the current clinical data and some novel armored CAR T cell approaches for improving antitumor efficacy therapy.

Source: The Cancer Journal

DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000034

Authors: Hollie J. Pegram, Jae H. Park, Renier J. Brentjens

Institution: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: CAR-T cell therapy research

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute