Controlling Cell Trafficking: Addressing Failures in CAR T and NK Cell Therapy of Solid Tumours

Lydia G White1, Hannah E Goy1, Alinor J Rose1,2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.

Cancers
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Guiding lymphocytes to solid tumors is crucial for effective cancer treatment and patient safety. Revisiting competitive strategies as complementary approaches can enhance CAR T and NK cell therapy for better tumor cell elimination.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Therapy

Background:

  • Optimal anti-tumour effects require precise homing of lymphocytes to solid tumours.
  • Tumour recognition and elimination depend on lymphocyte proximity to malignant cells.
  • Solid tumours present challenges to adoptive cell therapy due to resistant clones and hostile environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategies for overcoming insufficient immune cell migration to solid tumours.
  • To explore methods for improving the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy.
  • To propose a complementary approach to enhance CAR T and NK cell therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on immune cell migration and adoptive cell therapy.
  • Analysis of strategies to enhance lymphocyte homing to tumour sites.
  • Evaluation of 'competitive' approaches in the context of CAR T and NK cell therapy.

Main Results:

  • Insufficient immune cell migration to tumours is a significant hurdle in adoptive cell therapy.
  • Strategies exist to improve lymphocyte trafficking to solid tumour masses.
  • Revisiting 'competitive' strategies as complementary approaches shows promise.

Conclusions:

  • Enhancing lymphocyte homing to solid tumours is essential for effective cancer immunotherapy.
  • Complementary strategies can overcome limitations of current adoptive cell therapy.
  • Improved CAR T and NK cell therapy may be achieved by integrating revisited competitive approaches.

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