FAQ: How does CAR T-cell therapy work?

CAR T-cell therapy is a revolutionary form of immunotherapy designed to harness the power of the patient’s immune system to combat cancer. The process begins with a leukapheresis procedure, where the patient’s blood is collected and T-cells are separated. In the lab, these T-cells are then modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. CARs are designed to recognize specific antigens present on cancer cells. Once the CAR T-cells are reinfused into the patient’s bloodstream, they can identify and attack cancer cells with the matching antigens, leading to the destruction of cancer cells and a potentially enhanced immune response against the disease.