ICLE 2022 | Unanswered questions in developing engineered T cells for solid tumors

Elvira D’Ippolito, PhD, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, discusses barriers in developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for solid tumors. Whilst CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated modest success in treating hematological malignancies, the immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors inhibits T-cell activity by preventing their entry into the tumor. Dr D’Ippolito additionally addresses resistance to CAR T-cell therapies due to antigen escape, as well as suggests strategies to improve T-cells, including co-engineering of the T-cell, improving antigen presentation and multi-specific receptors. This interview took place at the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering (ICLE) 2022.