Using chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy to fight glioblastoma multiforme: past, present and future...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly lethal brain tumor with poor prognosis, despite various therapeutic approaches.
• Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized liquid tumor treatment but faces challenges in solid tumors like GBM.
• Current median survival for GBM patients remains under two years, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of CAR-T cell therapies developed for GBM treatment.
• To explore novel T-cell engineering strategies and their potential application against GBM.
• To summarize the history, current status, and future directions of CAR-T therapy in GBM.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, DOAJ, Web of Science).
• Keywords included 'chimeric antigen receptor', 'CAR-T', 'GBM', 'solid tumor immunotherapy', and 'CAR-T combination'.
• Publications from January 1987 to November 2021 were reviewed.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive list of CAR-T cells targeting GBM, including protein sequences and functions, was compiled.
• New T-cell engineering strategies for GBM immunotherapy were described.
• An inventory of ongoing and completed clinical trials involving CAR-T therapy for GBM was presented.

Conclusions:

• CAR-T cell engineering offers a promising avenue for treating GBM, a challenging solid tumor.
• Addressing existing obstacles is crucial for significantly delaying GBM progression.
• This review serves as an introduction to CAR-T therapy for GBM and highlights areas for future research and development.