FAQ: How do chimeric antigen receptors work?

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic receptors engineered to enable T-cells to recognize and target specific cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s T-cells to express these CARs on their surface. The CARs consist of an antigen-binding domain that recognizes the cancer cell’s antigen, a transmembrane domain that anchors the receptor to the T-cell membrane, and an intracellular signaling domain that activates the T-cell’s immune response. When CAR T-cells encounter cancer cells with the corresponding antigen, the CARs bind to the target cells, triggering the T-cells to attack and eliminate the cancer cells, enhancing the body’s immune response against cancer.