Understanding CAR T Cell Therapy

CAR T cell therapy involves genetically engineering a patient's own T lymphocytes to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that targets specific cancer antigens. This synthetic protein allows T cells to recognize and attack malignant cells displaying the target antigen, such as CD19 in certain B-cell malignancies. The effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy varies by the type of cancer being treated, but notable successes have been recorded in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with long-term remission rates reaching around 30% and up to 90%, respectively. This therapy has the potential to provide an effective treatment option for individuals who do not respond to conventional chemotherapy.