Solid Tumors: The Next Frontier Of Cancer Immunotherapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a promising cancer treatment, but there are challenges when it comes to targeting solid tumors, including difficulties in getting the CAR T cells to the tumor, the heterogeneity of tumor antigens, and the complex microenvironment. To overcome these challenges, researchers are using advanced research models that mimic the human body.

Organ-on-a-Chip technology is one such model that emulates the architecture and functionality of human organs. Researchers have used this technology to study the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). By co-culturing NSCLC cells with lung-specific vascular cells, they were able to mimic the journey of CAR T cells in the body. Additionally, the co-administration of a co-therapeutic alongside CAR T cells was modeled on-chip and showed improved migration to the tumor site. This technology has the potential to accelerate the development of CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors.

With the use of advanced in vitro models like Organ-Chips, researchers are gaining a better understanding of CAR T-cell therapy in the context of solid tumors. This understanding can lead to the optimization of CAR T-cell design, the identification of biomarkers for patient selection, and the development of combination therapies that enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors. Despite the challenges, progress is being made in improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy for solid tumors through the use of advanced research models.