What Are the Current Challenges and Future Directions?
Despite its success, CAR-T therapy faces several challenges: - Antigen Escape: Tumors can evolve to lose the target antigen, rendering CAR-T cells ineffective. - Solid Tumor Microenvironment: The hostile microenvironment of solid tumors can inhibit CAR-T cell infiltration and activity. - Cost and Accessibility: The complex manufacturing process makes CAR-T therapy expensive and less accessible.
Future directions include the development of next-generation CARs with enhanced specificity, reduced toxicity, and the ability to target multiple antigens. Researchers are also exploring combination therapies and novel engineering strategies to overcome the barriers posed by solid tumors.
