Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are recombinant protein molecules that redirect cytotoxic lymphocytes toward malignant and other target cells. The high feasibility of manufacturing CAR-modified lymphocytes for the therapy of cancer has spurred the development and optimization of new CAR T cells directed against a broad range of target antigens. In this review, we describe the main structural and functional elements constituting a CAR, discuss the roles of these elements in modulating the anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells, and highlight alternative approaches to CAR engineering.
Early results from clinical trials of autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells for the therapy of B-cell malignancies have encouraged extending the potency of this therapy to other cancers. However, the success of using CAR T-cells to treat patients with solid tumors has been limited. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the design and applications of CARs for the targeted therapy of cancer. We describe existing issues that limit the widespread application of CAR T cells and discuss the optimization steps needed to further improve safety and efficacy of this therapeutic platform.
Hematologic Neoplasms , Immunotherapy/methods , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell , T-Lymphocytes , Animals , Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics , Hematologic Neoplasms/immunology , Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy , Humans , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
