Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2025

05:16
Studying Interactions between Myeloid Cells and CAR T Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: July 25, 2025
155
CAR-T Cell Therapy and the Gut Microbiota.
Sahana Asokan1,2, Nyssa Cullin1, Christoph K Stein-Thoeringer3
1Division of Microbiome and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Cancers
|February 11, 2023
Summary
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy shows promise but often fails. Research explores how the human microbiota can improve CAR T-cell treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a promising cancer treatment for blood cancers.
- However, over half of patients do not respond, and many experience adverse effects, necessitating treatment optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest research on the human microbiota's role in CAR T-cell therapy.
- To discuss challenges and potential strategies for using the microbiota to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy and safety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on microbiota and CAR T-cell therapy.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms of microbiota influence on immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- The human microbiota is increasingly recognized as a key factor influencing immunotherapy response.
- Specific microbial compositions may predict patient responsiveness and impact treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Harnessing the microbiota holds significant potential for improving CAR T-cell therapy efficacy.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize microbiota-based strategies for personalized cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
107
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
107
Tumor Immunotherapy
615
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
615
What is Monogastric Digestion?
71.9K
The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
71.9K

