FAQ: How is CAR T-cell therapy done?

CAR T-cell therapy involves a multistep process that starts with the collection of the patient’s T-cells through leukapheresis. These T-cells are then modified in a laboratory to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. The CARs are designed to recognize and target specific antigens present on cancer cells. After the CAR T-cells have been successfully engineered, the patient receives conditioning chemotherapy to create an ideal environment for the CAR T-cells to do their job effectively. Finally, the modified CAR T-cells are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream, where they can seek out and destroy cancer cells expressing the targeted antigens.