Cancer gene therapy with T cell receptors and chimeric antigen receptors.
Viral and non-viral gene transfer technologies have been used to efficiently generate therapeutic T cells with desired cancer-specificity. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) redirect T cell specificity toward antibody-recognized antigens expressed on the surface of cancer cells, while T cell receptors (TCRs) extend the range of targets to include intracellular tumor antigens. CAR redirected T cells specific for the B cell differentiation antigen CD19 have shown dramatic efficacy in the treatment of B cell malignancies, while TCR-redirected T cells have shown benefits in patients suffering from solid cancer. In this review we will present strategies to optimize CAR and TCR function, and discuss the importance of target antigen selection to enhance tumor specificity, while reducing on-target and off-target toxicity.
Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. Electronic address: h.stauss@ucl.ac.uk.
Hans J
HJ
Stauss
Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
Emma C
EC
Morris
Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Clinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: hinrich.abken@uk-koeln.de.
Hinrich
H
Abken
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D011946:Receptors, Antigen; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell