CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors: obstacles and recent progress

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown limited efficacy in solid tumors due to multiple challenges.

• Key obstacles include insufficient CAR-T cell movement to tumors and limited growth and survival of these cells.
• Tumor relapse may occur because of antigen loss or variability among tumor cells.
• The immunosuppressive environment of tumors is associated with reduced effectiveness of CAR-T cell functions.
• Recent clinical trials in advanced solid tumors have provided insights into overcoming these challenges.
• Innovative strategies involve integrating synthetic biology and gene engineering to improve CAR-T cell capabilities and target multiple antigens.

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