How are CAR T cells engineered?
CAR T cells are a type of immunotherapy that has shown great promise in treating certain types of cancer. CAR T cells are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which is a synthetic receptor that recognizes a specific antigen on the surface of cancer cells.
The process of engineering CAR T cells involves several steps:
1. Collection of T cells
The first step is to collect T cells from the patient’s blood. This is done through a process called apheresis, which involves removing blood from the body, separating the T cells from the other blood components, and then returning the remaining blood to the patient.
2. Genetic modification of T cells
Once the T cells have been collected, they are genetically modified to express the CAR. This is done using a lentivirus or retrovirus, which is a type of virus that can insert genetic material into cells.
The CAR is a synthetic receptor that is composed of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. The extracellular domain is designed to bind to a specific antigen on the surface of cancer cells. The transmembrane domain anchors the CAR to the T cell membrane. The intracellular domain contains signaling motifs that activate the T cell upon binding to the antigen.
3. Expansion of CAR T cells
Once the T cells have been genetically modified to express the CAR, they are expanded in culture. This involves growing the T cells in a nutrient-rich medium that allows them to multiply. The expanded T cells are then harvested and prepared for infusion into the patient.
4. Infusion of CAR T cells
The final step is to infuse the CAR T cells into the patient. This is done through a process called adoptive cell therapy. The CAR T cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream, where they can circulate and bind to cancer cells. Once bound to a cancer cell, the CAR T cell will activate and begin to kill the cancer cell.
Clinical trials of CAR T cells
CAR T cells are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The results of these clinical trials have been very promising, and CAR T cells have shown great potential for treating certain types of cancer.
Challenges of CAR T cell therapy
While CAR T cell therapy has shown great promise, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. One challenge is the development of CAR T cells that are specific for a particular type of cancer. Another challenge is the development of CAR T cells that are resistant to the immunosuppressive effects of the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusion
CAR T cells are a promising new type of immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. The process of engineering CAR T cells involves several steps, including collection of T cells, genetic modification of T cells, expansion of CAR T cells, and infusion of CAR T cells. Clinical trials of CAR T cells have shown great promise, and CAR T cells have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cancer.
