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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells: A Pharmaceutical Scope
Alejandrina Hernández-López1, Mario A Téllez-González1,2, Paul Mondragón-Terán2
1Laboratorio 7 Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de Morelos, UAEM, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Abstract:
Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, improving cancer therapeutic strategies using novel alternatives is a top priority on the contemporary scientific agenda. An example of such strategies is immunotherapy, which is based on teaching the immune system to recognize, attack, and kill malignant cancer cells. Several types of immunotherapies are currently used to treat cancer, including adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Chimeric Antigen Receptors therapy (CAR therapy) is a kind of ATC where autologous T cells are genetically engineered to express CARs (CAR-T cells) to specifically kill the tumor cells. CAR-T cell therapy is an opportunity to treat patients that have not responded to other first-line cancer treatments. Nowadays, this type of therapy still has many challenges to overcome to be considered as a first-line clinical treatment. This emerging technology is still classified as an advanced therapy from the pharmaceutical point of view, hence, for it to be applied it must firstly meet certain requirements demanded by the authority. For this reason, the aim of this review is to present a global vision of different immunotherapies and focus on CAR-T cell technology analyzing its elements, its history, and its challenges. Furthermore, analyzing the opportunity areas for CAR-T technology to become an affordable treatment modality taking the basic, clinical, and practical aspects into consideration.
Insights
Cancer immunotherapy, specifically CAR-T cell therapy, offers a novel approach to fighting cancer. This review explores its components, history, and challenges to make it an affordable treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies.
- Immunotherapy, a treatment that harnesses the immune system against cancer, is a key area of research.
- Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT), including Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, represents a promising advancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of various cancer immunotherapies.
- To specifically analyze CAR-T cell technology, including its fundamental elements, historical development, and current challenges.
- To identify opportunities for CAR-T cell therapy to become a more accessible and affordable treatment option.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on cancer immunotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy.
- Analysis of the scientific, clinical, and regulatory aspects of CAR-T cell technology.
- Exploration of economic and practical factors influencing treatment accessibility.
Main Results:
- CAR-T cell therapy involves genetically engineering a patient's T cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
- While CAR-T therapy shows potential for refractory cancers, significant challenges remain for its widespread clinical adoption.
- Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing CAR-T therapy as a standard treatment modality.
Conclusions:
- CAR-T cell therapy is an advanced therapeutic strategy with the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
- Overcoming technical, regulatory, and economic hurdles is essential for realizing the full potential of CAR-T therapy.
- Further research and development are needed to establish CAR-T cell therapy as a cost-effective and widely available cancer treatment.
