CAR-T Meeting 2021 | The journey of CAR-T therapy from hematological malignancies to solid tumors

Concetta Quintarelli, PhD, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, discusses the journey of CAR-T therapy from hematological malignancies to solid tumor treatment in the pediatric setting. Patients with solid tumors, in particular high-risk relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, are being enrolled in a CAR-T program. Results from the trial show a significant improvement in the outcomes of patients. Prof. Quintarelli highlights the need to optimize the CAR-T construct and the manufacturing process to generate CAR T-cells able to penetrate the solid mass and overcome the inhibitory microenvironment. This interview took place during the 3rd European CAR T-cell Meeting.