Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2024

Comments

Course: LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research

Course Instructor: Dr. Paula McCourt

Department: Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology Department, Jefferson College of Health Professionals

Abstract

T cells have been called the “warriors of the immune system” and for good reason. T cells have many different functions including stimulating B cells to make antibodies; suppressing the immune response when it is no longer needed; killing of foreign, pathogenic, and cancerous cells and several other functions. Despite these key immune system functions, T cells sometimes are deregulated, and this can lead to an increased risk of cancer. Therefore, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been designed. CAR T cells are T cells that have been genetically engineered to possess a T cell receptor derived from murine, humanized, or human monoclonal antibody sequences. CAR T cells are engineered to identify, target, and destroy specific cells, especially cancerous or tumorous cells. CAR T cells have demonstrated great success in treating hematologic cancers and there are several FDA-approved therapies on the market. However, the same efficiency of CAR T cells is not seen in solid tumors. Therefore, it is clear that there is a need for the optimization of CAR T cells when using these engineered cells to identify, target, and destroy solid tumors. The focus of this review paper analyzes various research articles to develop a comprehensive list of strategies to optimize CAR T cells to target solid tumors more effectively. The optimization strategies that will be discussed range from armoring the CAR T cells to express and deliver certain cytokines to the solid tumor site to changing the CAR structure from a linear to lateral structure. Regardless of which strategy, or even strategies, is utilized in the optimization of CAR T cells, the goal is to enhance the efficiency, migration, proliferation, and survival of CAR T cells at the solid tumor site to allow for CAR T cells to be used in the treatment of solid tumors.

Language

English

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Oncology Commons

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