Summary
Highlights
Killer T cells are vital components of the immune system, actively patrolling the body to detect and eliminate foreign invaders like infections and diseased cells. They possess special surface receptors that bind to foreign particles presented by abnormal or infected cells, initiating an activation process that leads to the destruction of these harmful cells.
Cancer cells often develop sophisticated ways to hide from the immune system. They can reduce the number of MHC1 molecules on their surface, making it difficult for killer T cells to recognize them. Additionally, cancer cells can display checkpoint molecules that trick T cells into perceiving them as normal, preventing an immune response.
CAR T-cell therapy aims to re-educate a patient's T cells to better recognize and attack cancer. The process involves collecting a patient's T cells, then introducing genetic instructions into them to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These engineered T cells are then called CAR T cells.
CARs are designed to directly recognize and bind to specific markers on cancer cells, bypassing the need for MHC1 presentation. Once bound, the CARs activate signaling domains within the T cell, triggering its killer function. CAR T cells are highly effective, acting as 'serial killers' that can destroy multiple cancer cells and remain in the body for years to prevent recurrence.
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is a leading site for CAR T-cell research and delivery, aiming to make this therapy accessible and affordable in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. While currently approved for blood cancers, research is ongoing to expand its application to solid tumors and develop 'off-the-shelf' solutions for various cancer types, offering significant hope to patients worldwide.