CAR T-Cell Therapy: A miniature review with institutional relevance to massey cancer center

Cellular immunotherapy has provided a transformative treatment for hematologic malignancies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy reinfuses genetically modified autologous T cells into the patient to improve their immune system’s efficacy in targeting malignant cells. This FDA-approved treatment serves as a consolidating therapy for subtypes of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Seven brands of CAR T-cell (CAR-T) therapies have been successfully approved, targeting different malignancies and disease statuses. In Virginia, Massey Cancer Center was the first clinic to offer CAR-T therapy. Being the largest cellular immunotherapy clinic in the state, adequate resources are available for clinical trials, expanding the population eligible for therapy. The clinic follows the meticulously curated CAR-T therapy protocol, including preparative chemotherapy, inpatient and outpatient evaluations, and symptom management. While CAR-T proves groundbreaking in oncology treatment, it is limited to nonsolid malignancies. Additionally, there remain several disparities beyond the clinical scope. This literature survey examines the history, methodology, benefits, drawbacks, and prospective research of CAR-T therapy.