ICLE 2022 | Enhancing the long-term functionality of CAR-T cells in solid tumors

The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in solid tumors have been substandard as a result of CAR T-cell differentiation and exhaustion. Shigeki Yagyu, MD, PhD, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, comments on the need to improve CAR T-cell potency in solid tumors by optimizing long-term functionality. Despite lentiviral vectors predominantly being used in the engineering of CAR T-cell therapies, they may affect T-cell activity during cell expansion. Dr Yagyu discusses strategies to boost CAR T-cell efficacy including lowering PD-1 expression and reducing T-cell exhaustion. This interview took place at the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering (ICLE) 2022.