Universal CAR-T Cells: A Novel Approach to Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality globally, posing enduring challenges for clinical and economic healthcare systems alike. Conventional treatment modalities often fall short in providing durable remission, particularly in advanced-stage disease. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy has emerged as a promising frontier in cancer treatment. This innovative approach harnesses the power of the body's own immune system to eradicate malignant cells. However, current CAR-T cell therapies face limitations, including the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and the challenge of manufacturing personalized treatments for each patient. This paper explores the concept of developing "universal" CAR-T cells, which could be derived from any suitable donor and administered to patients without the need for stringent HLA matching, overcoming the limitations of current therapies. Using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, particularly base editing, this research aims to eliminate the expression of T cell receptors (TCR), Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, and Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) molecules on donor T cells, mitigating the risk of immune rejection and enhancing anti-tumor efficacy. The development of universal CAR-T cells holds the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, offering a readily available and cost-effective immunotherapy approach.