Immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach in treating different types of blood cancer, using the body’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells.
Among the various forms of immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy stands out for its innovative use of genetically modified T-cells, a type of immune cell, to recognise and attack cancer.
How CAR T-cell therapy works
Modifying T-cells: Patients’ T-cells are collected and genetically engineered to express a new gene that produces a specific receptor on their surface.
Recognising cancer: This receptor, known as a chimeric antigen receptor, allows the T-cells to identify and bind to a particular protein found on the surface of cancer cells.
Attacking the cancer: Once infused back into the patient, these modified T-cells multiply and launch an immune response against the cancer cells.
Current progress
The field of CAR T-cell therapy is rapidly advancing, with six treatments currently approved by the Federal Drug Association (FDA) in the United States for various blood cancers.
For relapsed multiple myeloma, two CAR T-cell therapies have shown promising responses, with high remission rates. Four therapies targeting the CD19 protein on B-cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells have also been approved, demonstrating potential curative effects in challenging cases.
The initial success in blood cancers has spurred research into CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumours and other complex blood cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia and AL amyloidosis.
The role of research in CAR T-cell therapy
Clinical trials are underway to explore and refine these new treatments, aiming to expand their effectiveness and accessibility.
There is a pressing need to improve access to CAR T-cell therapy in Australia, to provide patients with more treatment options and the hope of better outcomes.