Abstract

CAR-T CELL THERAPY A BREAK THROUGH IN TRADITIONAL CANCER TREATMENT STRATEGIES

Bogyam Manasa*

ABSTRACT

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a significant breakthrough in traditional cancer treatment strategies. Unlike conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation, which often harm healthy tissues and may not provide lasting remission, CAR-T therapy harnesses the patient’s own immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells with high specificity. This personalized treatment involves genetically engineering a patient’s T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors that recognize specific antigens on tumor cells. Upon reinfusion, these modified cells seek out and destroy cancer cells, offering a novel mechanism of action that surpasses the limitations of non-specific cytotoxic therapies. CAR-Ttherapy has demonstrated remarkable success, particularly in hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and certain types of lymphoma, achieving durable remissions in patients with otherwise refractory disease. Its success has triggered a paradigm shift in oncology, driving the development of next-generation CAR constructs and expanding investigations into solid tumors. Despite challenges such as cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and high costs, ongoing research and technological advancements continue to refine CAR-T approaches, making them safer and more accessible. Overall, CAR-T cell therapy exemplifies the shift towards precision medicine and has emerged as a transformative tool in the evolving landscape of cancer treatment.

Keywords: CAR-T cell therapy, cancer immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor, hematologic malignancies, personalized medicine, targeted therapy, tumor-specific antigens, immune system, refractory cancer, precision oncology.