CAR T-Cell Therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor, CAR) is an innovative form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own immune T-cells to fight their cancer. It involves extracting these cells from the blood and genetically engineering them to improve their ability to identify and attack cancer cells. By equipping the T-cells with a chimeric antigen receptor, the therapy enhances their capacity to target specific proteins on cancer cells, aiming to eliminate tumors and strengthen the immune response against potential future cancer occurrences.
When Was CAR T-Cell Therapy Introduced?
CAR T-Cell therapy has a significant history marked by groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the field of immunotherapy. Below is a detailed timeline of the key milestones in the development of CAR T-Cells:
Side Effects or Risks
Like any medical treatment, CAR T-Cell Therapy can have side effects. These may include fever, fatigue, and low blood cell counts, among others. It’s important to discuss potential risks with your healthcare provider.
Benefits of CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-Cell Therapy offers several benefits, including potential for a more targeted attack on cancer cells and the possibility of long-lasting remission in certain types of cancers. Other benefits include, but are not limited to:
The most common side effect of CAR T-Cell therapy is called cytokine release syndrome or CRS. It can affect up to 9 in 10 CAR T-Cell therapy patients. It is generally brief, lasting about a week. Many patients liken it to the flu with fever, low energy, and body aches. It is treatable with medication.
Stanford Medicine. Side Effects. Retrieved from: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/c/car-t-cell-therapy/side-effects.html
Key Takeaway
CAR T-Cell Therapy is still newer to the medical world; however, it is making strides towards being a better alternative to radiation or chemotherapy.
Sources Used:
Stanford Medicine. Side Effects. Retrieved from: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/c/car-t-cell-therapy/side-effects.html
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. CAR T Cells: Timeline of Progress. Retrieved from: https://www.mskcc.org/timeline/car-t-timeline-progress
Aroshi Mitara, Amrite Barua, Luping Huang, Siddhartha Ganguly, Qin Feng, Bin He. (2023, May 15) From Bench to Bedside: The History and Progress of CAR T-Cell Therapy. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10225594/
National Cancer Institute. (2025, February 26) CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/car-t-cells
