Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
08:46
A Real-time Potency Assay for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Targeting Solid and Hematological Cancer Cells
Published on: November 12, 2019
Adoptive cell therapies in solid tumors: current clinical landscape, challenges, and future directions
Joe Rizkallah1, Bahaa El Deen Wehbeh2, Waseem Wassouf2
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Frontiers in Immunology
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) shows promise for solid tumors, but faces challenges like immune evasion and toxicity. New strategies and biomarkers are advancing this cancer immunotherapy approach.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a powerful cancer immunotherapy, effective in blood cancers but facing hurdles in solid tumors.
- Key ACT types include chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T), tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL), and T cell receptor-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current clinical landscape of ACT in solid tumors.
- To identify challenges and evolving strategies for enhancing ACT efficacy and safety in solid malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of clinical trial outcomes and scientific literature.
- Analysis of tumor-specific targets, efficacy determinants, and resistance mechanisms.
- Evaluation of emerging strategies and biomarkers for patient stratification.
Main Results:
- ACT faces significant barriers in solid tumors, including antigen heterogeneity, immune evasion, and T cell dysfunction.
- Toxicity, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, requires careful management.
- Novel strategies like multi-antigen targeting, engineered CAR designs, and advanced manufacturing show potential.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming ACT limitations in solid tumors requires innovative approaches addressing the tumor microenvironment and immune resistance.
- Biomarkers and personalized medicine are crucial for optimizing patient selection and treatment outcomes.
- Continued advances in translational research and combination therapies will drive future ACT development for solid cancers.
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