CAR T-cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy) is a type of personalized immunotherapy used to treat certain blood cancers. It works by genetically modifying a patient's own T cells so they can recognize and destroy cancer cells.
How CAR T-cell therapy works
- Collect T cells: Blood is drawn from the patient, and T cells are separated using a process called leukapheresis.
- Genetic modification: In a laboratory, a new gene is inserted into the T cells so they produce a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on their surface.
- Cell multiplication: The modified T cells are grown into millions of cells.
- Preparation: The patient usually receives a short course of chemotherapy to make room for the CAR T cells.
- Infusion: The engineered CAR T cells are infused back into the patient's bloodstream.
- Cancer cell destruction: The CAR T cells recognize specific proteins (antigens) on cancer cells, bind to them, and kill them
Conditions treated
CAR T-cell therapy is approved for several blood cancers, including:
- B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Follicular lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
Research is ongoing to make CAR T-cell therapy effective for solid tumors such as lung, breast, and brain cancers, but this remains more challenging.
Advantages
- Can produce long-lasting remissions in patients whose cancer has not responded to other treatments.
- Uses the patient's own immune system to target cancer.
- May reduce the need for repeated chemotherapy in some patients.
Risks and side effects
The treatment can cause serious side effects, including:
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS): Fever, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat due to an intense immune response.
- Neurological toxicity (ICANS): Confusion, tremors, difficulty speaking, seizures, or rarely coma.
- Low blood cell counts, increasing the risk of infection and bleeding.
- Fatigue and fever.
Because of these risks, patients are monitored closely in specialized treatment centers, especially during the first few weeks after infusion.
Success rates
Response rates vary depending on the cancer type and the specific CAR T-cell product. In some relapsed or refractory blood cancers, 60–90% of patients respond initially, and many achieve complete remission. However, some patients experience relapse, and ongoing research aims to improve long-term outcomes.
In summary, CAR T-cell therapy is one of the most significant advances in cancer treatment, offering hope for patients with certain difficult-to-treat blood cancers by harnessing their own immune system.
