“Weaponised” CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Promise Against Solid Tumours
In a major leap for cancer treatment, researchers have reported groundbreaking success using enhanced “weaponised” CAR T-cell therapy to combat solid tumours—an area where immunotherapy has historically struggled. Early trials show remarkable potential, offering new hope for aggressive cancers like pancreatic, ovarian, and lung tumours.
Why Solid Tumours Resist Conventional CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy has transformed blood cancer treatment by reprogramming a patient’s immune cells to attack malignancies. Yet, solid tumours—which make up 90% of cancers—remain difficult to treat due to:
- A dense, immunosuppressive microenvironment that blocks immune cells
- Lack of clear target molecules on tumour cells
- Tumour evasion mechanisms that reduce therapy effectiveness
“Solid tumours are fortresses, shielding cancer cells from immune attacks,” explains Dr. Priya Menon, an oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital.
How “Weaponised” CAR T-Cells Break Through Barriers
A team from the University of Pennsylvania has engineered a next-gen CAR T-cell with three key upgrades, published in Nature Cancer:
- Multi-Antigen Targeting – Attacks two or more tumour markers, reducing escape routes for cancer.
- Immune-Stimulating Cytokines – Releases IL-12 to “heat up” the tumour, breaking its defences.
- Blocking Immunosuppression – Neutralises PD-L1 and other signals tumours use to evade immunity.
In preclinical trials, this dual-action therapy shrank or eliminated pancreatic and lung tumours in mice with minimal side effects.
Potential Impact on India’s Cancer Care
India faces a high burden of late-stage solid tumours, where treatment options are limited. Dr. Rakesh Sharma (AIIMS Delhi) notes:
“If human trials succeed, this could be transformative—especially for cancers with poor survival rates.”
Challenges remain: high costs (₹30-40 lakhs per treatment) and the need for specialised infrastructure. Experts call for local R&D investments to improve accessibility.
Next Steps: Human Trials & Future Prospects
Clinical trials are expected within two years, potentially leading to personalised therapies for various solid cancers.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” says Dr. Menon. “This could finally crack solid tumours—but more data is needed.”
Stay tuned to NextMinuteNews for updates on this cutting-edge cancer therapy.
