Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved remarkable response rates and revolutionized the treatment of patients suffering from defined hematological malignancies. However, many patients still do not respond to this therapy or relapse after an initial remission, underscoring the need for improved efficacy. Insufficient in vivo activity, persistence, trafficking, and tumor infiltration of CAR T cells, as well as antigen escape and treatment‐associated adverse events, limit the therapeutic success. Multiple strategies and approaches have been investigated to further improve CAR T cell therapy. Besides genetic modification of the CAR itself, the combination with other treatment modalities has the potential to improve this approach. In particular, combining CAR T cells with clinically approved compounds such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors might be a promising strategy. Combination partners could already be applied during the production process to influence the cellular composition and immunophenotype of the final CAR T cell product. Alternatively, simultaneous administration of clinically approved compounds with CAR T cells would be another feasible avenue. In this review, we will discuss current strategies to combine CAR T cells with compounds to overcome recent limitations and further enhance this promising cancer therapy, potentially broadening its application beyond hematology.
Institut(e)Unit for Clinical Pharmacology (KKG-EKLiP)
FörderungenSFB-TRR 338/1 2021452881907 Hector foundation International Doctoral Program i-Target: Immunotargeting of Cancer - Elite Network of Bavaria Melanoma Research Alliance Grants Else Kroener-Fresenius-Stiftung German Cancer Aid Ernst-Jung-Stiftung LMU Munichs Institutional Strategy LMUexcellent within German Excellence Initiative Bundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung European Research Council German Research Foundation (DFG) Fritz-Bender Foundation Jose-Carreras Foundation Marie Sklodowska-Curie Program Training Network for Optimizing Adoptive T Cell Therapy of Cancer - H2020 Program of the European Union