Cancer researchJan 6, 2026

Improving Live CAR-T Cell Modification for Cancer Treatment

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 19, 2026

Abstract

In vivo CAR-T cell engineering could simplify treatment by reprogramming a patient's own T cells without the need for cell harvesting.

Conventional CAR-T cell therapy production is costly and complex, limiting accessibility.
In vivo delivery strategies utilize viral and non-viral systems for CAR transgene transfer.
Vector design principles focus on improving targeting, stability, and safety of CAR-T therapies.
Challenges include vector stability and immunogenicity, which may affect the effectiveness of in vivo CAR-T therapies.
Current translational studies indicate potential for broader clinical applications of in vivo CAR-T therapy.

Simplified

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy enables potent, antigen-specific immune responses and has demonstrated success in treating hematologic malignancies. However, conventional ex vivo CAR-T manufacturing remains costly, individualized, and logistically complex, posing significant barriers to accessibility and scalability. In vivo CAR-T cell engineering offers a transformative alternative by reprogramming endogenous T cells within the patient, bypassing the need for cell harvesting and expansion. This review focuses on current in vivo CAR-T delivery strategies, including viral vectors (such as lentiviruses, γ-retroviruses, adeno-associated viruses, and viral-like particles) and non-viral systems (such as lipid nanoparticles and polymer-based carriers), with a focus on how these platforms are engineered to achieve efficient, specific, and safe CAR transgene transfer. We also discuss the design principles of vector tropism, membrane modifications, and targeting ligands, as well as translational studies in both preclinical and clinical settings. Finally, the review explores delivery-related challenges and future perspectives for optimizing vector stability, enhancing T cell targeting, and reducing immunogenicity to advance in vivo CAR-T therapy toward broader clinical applications.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Improving Live CAR-T Cell Modification for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the mrna technology brief