The potential of B7-H3 as a new target for CAR-T therapy: Advancements, challenges and clinical perspectives

Malignant tumors remain a major threat to survival and quality of life because of their capacity for recurrence, immune escape, and metastasis. The continuous development of more selective and durable anticancer strategies is therefore a central priority in oncology. B7-H3(CD276), a constituent of the B7 protein family, is linked to tumor immunity, metabolism, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Due to its widespread overexpression on tumor cell surfaces and absence in normal tissues, B7-H3 has been extensively investigated as a potential target for immunotherapy. CAR-T therapy employs Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to guide T cells towards lesions that display certain tumor markers. This process triggers the activation of T cells, facilitates the development of memory T cells, and stimulates the immune system to eliminate malignancies. The utilization of CAR-T has yielded significant advancements in the treatment of cancers, enabling us to tailor the treatment for various types of tumors and perhaps attain full remission. It is imperative to identify novel targets and treatment modalities for CAR-T therapy. Recent advancements in CAR-T therapy research have demonstrated substantial progress in utilizing B7-H3 CAR-T treatment for brain tumors and small cell lung cancer. This is mostly due to the favorable distribution of B7-H3 in the body. This study primarily outlines the research findings of CAR-T treatment specifically targeting B7-H3.