Current state of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, its application in treating solid tumors has encountered significant obstacles. This review explores the current state of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors, highlighting challenges including the pronounced heterogeneity of tumor antigens and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We explore a range of preclinical and clinical strategies to enhance the efficacy of solid tumor CAR-T cells. These strategies encompass engineering chimeric receptors that can simultaneously target multiple antigens expressed by tumor cells, as well as implementing combination therapies and armored CAR-T cells to overcome existing limitations. While encouraging advancements using solid tumor CAR-T cell therapies have been seen, addressing intrinsic challenges remains a significant endeavor. Ongoing investigation of these innovative strategies is essential for the successful application of CAR-T cells in the context of solid tumors.