Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an innovative type of immunotherapy that strengthens the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. This process uses a patient’s own immune cells, known as T cells, which are collected from the blood and genetically reengineered in a laboratory. Once modified, these “supercharged” cells are infused back into the patient, where they seek out and destroy cancer cells that remain after other treatments.
Currently, there are six FDA-approved CAR T therapies in the United States. These approved treatments are used primarily for blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
CAR T Therapy and Brain Cancer
While CAR T therapy has shown great promise for blood cancers, it has been more challenging to adapt for solid tumors, such as glioblastoma — one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Typical glioblastoma treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. These therapies can slow the disease’s progression but cannot completely eliminate it. The current five-year survival rate for glioblastoma is less than 7%, highlighting the urgent need for new and more effective treatment options.
At the University of Kansas Cancer Center, David Akhavan, MD, PhD, principal investigator and assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, is leading research efforts to change that outcome. “New treatments for glioblastoma are desperately needed,” said Dr. Akhavan. “To overcome the challenges we’ve faced, we plan to leverage nanotechnology.”
Current Challenges
Developing CAR T cell therapy for brain tumors presents unique hurdles. Two of the most common challenges include:
T Cell Exhaustion: Over time, engineered T cells can lose their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells after prolonged exposure to the tumor.
Tumor Microenvironment: The dense, protective environment around brain tumors can block or weaken the effectiveness of immune cells, making it difficult for them to reach and destroy cancer cells.
These barriers have made it difficult for CAR T therapies to work against solid tumors — but researchers are making important progress.
A New Approach: Using Nanotechnology
Dr. Akhavan and his research partner, Stefan Bossmann, PhD, professor in the Department of Cancer Biology and an internationally recognized nanotechnology expert, are exploring how nanotechnology can enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cells against glioblastoma.
Nanotechnology involves creating and using tiny, nano-scale devices that can deliver therapies directly to targeted cells. The research team is developing a platform technology that equips CAR T cells with nanocarriers — microscopic delivery systems that help control how CAR T cells release their cancer-fighting components.
This approach aims to:
Extend the lifespan of CAR T cells once infused into the patient
Prevent T cell exhaustion for up to three weeks
Improve tumor penetration and targeting
“Immunotherapy holds the promise of a potentially curative treatment for glioblastoma,” said Dr. Akhavan. “Collaborations such as ours are needed to bring different disciplines together to make progress against this terrible disease.”
The Promise Ahead
While CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma is still in clinical development, research like this represents a promising step forward. By combining the precision of nanotechnology with the power of immunotherapy, scientists are uncovering new ways to help the immune system more effectively fight solid tumors.
For patients and families navigating a brain cancer diagnosis, CAR T cell therapy offers hope for future treatment possibilities — and a glimpse into the next generation of cancer care.
Learn More
To learn more about the research happening at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, visit their Immunotherapy Research page.