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Engineered T cells and macrophages: two arms to seize solid tumors.
Luigi Russo1, Ilaria De Martino1, Matteo Marchetti1
1Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Naples, Italy.
Genetically modified immune cells, like CAR T-cells, show promise for treating blood cancers. Engineering new functions and combining cell types may overcome challenges for solid tumor immunotherapy.
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Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown success in hematological malignancies.
- Significant barriers hinder CAR T-cell efficacy against solid tumors, necessitating enhanced functionalities for safety, migration, and persistence.
- Macrophages offer complementary antitumor properties, including phagocytosis and antigen presentation, for a broader immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of current cell-based immunotherapy technologies.
- To propose synthetic interplay between immune cells as a future breakthrough for improved cancer treatment.
- To highlight strategies for overcoming solid tumor immunotherapy challenges.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in genetically modified immune cell therapies.
- Analysis of strategies for engineering immune cells, including T cells and macrophages.
- Exploration of synthetic biology approaches for cell-cell communication in immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- CAR T-cell therapy faces challenges in solid tumors, requiring additional engineered functions.
- Macrophages possess properties that can augment antitumor immune responses.
- Current research focuses on enhancing immune cell capabilities for broader therapeutic applications.
Conclusions:
- Engineering synthetic interplay between different immune cells is a promising next step in cell-based immunotherapy.
- This approach aims to develop safer and more effective living therapeutics for cancer treatment.
- Overcoming solid tumor barriers requires innovative strategies beyond traditional CAR T-cell therapy.

