Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics 2024, Vol.12, No.1, 15-26 http://www.medscipublisher.com/index.php/cge 20 2.4 CAR-T cell therapy 2.4.1 Basic principles of CAR-T cell therapy CAR-T cell therapy is an exciting form of immunotherapy based on modifying a patient's own T cells to enhance their anti-tumor capabilities. The cornerstone of this treatment lies in Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs), enabling T cells to identify and attack tumor cells. CARs consist of an external antigen recognition domain and internal signal transduction domains. The external domain typically uses the variable regions of monoclonal antibodies to recognize specific antigens on tumor cells. The internal signal transduction domain contains molecules necessary for T cell activation and proliferation, like the CD3 chain. When CAR-T cells bind to antigens on tumor cells, the internal signal transduction domain activates the T cells, initiating an immune response and destroying the tumor cells. The advantage of CAR-T cell therapy lies in its highly personalized nature. CAR-T cells are extracted from a patient's own T cells and modified, thereby possessing better compatibility and safety. Additionally, CAR-T cells can recognize and attack specific antigens on tumor cells, evading escape mechanisms observed in traditional treatment methods. This highlights the potential of CAR-T cell therapy in treating tumors that are resistant to or difficult to manage with traditional approaches. Despite significant progress in cancer treatment, challenges persist in CAR-T cell therapy. The preparation process is relatively complex, involving genetic modification and ex vivo expansion, resulting in higher costs. Additionally, CAR-T cell therapy can lead to severe adverse reactions like cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, requiring vigilant monitoring and management. Further research and validation are necessary to determine the long-term efficacy and tolerance of CAR-T cell therapy in cancer treatment. At present, clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CAR-T cell therapy in different tumor types, and further improve the design and application of CAR-T cells. The future holds promise for CAR-T cell therapy to play a more significant role in cancer treatment. With advancements in technology, the preparation process for CAR-T cells is expected to become more streamlined and efficient, reducing costs and increasing production efficiency. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of CAR-T cell therapy are anticipated to undergo further improvement and optimization. As an emerging cancer treatment modality, CAR-T cell therapy holds immense potential. By enhancing a patient's own T cells' ability to combat tumors, CAR-T cell therapy overcomes limitations seen in traditional treatments and plays a crucial role in treating challenging cancers. Despite facing some challenges such as complex preparation processes and potential adverse reactions, with further research and improvement, CAR-T cell therapy is expected to become one of the important means of cancer treatment. 2.4.2 Prospects of CAR-T cell therapy in endometrial cancer treatment Endometrial cancer stands as one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in the female reproductive system. Current treatments include surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer patients, the efficacy of traditional treatment methods is limited. In such cases, CAR-T cell therapy might offer a promising therapeutic option. The individualized nature of CAR-T cell therapy presents significant advantages in endometrial cancer treatment. By modifying a patient's own T cells to recognize and attack tumor cells, CAR-T cell therapy can be customized based on patient characteristics and specific surface antigens of the tumor, thereby improving treatment specificity and effectiveness. This individualized treatment strategy holds promise for achieving better therapeutic outcomes in endometrial cancer patients and reducing reliance on traditional treatment methods. The efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy has been established in immunotherapy for other tumor types, providing theoretical support for its application in endometrial cancer treatment. The advantage of CAR-T cell therapy lies in its ability to attack specific antigens on tumor cells, avoiding escape mechanisms observed in traditional treatment methods. This potential positions CAR-T cell therapy to be highly effective in treating tumors that are resistant to conventional therapies or challenging to manage. In the treatment of endometrial cancer, CAR-T cell therapy can target specific antigens like HER2 and EGFR on tumor cells, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
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