FAQ: What does CAR stand for in CAR T-cell therapy?

CAR stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor.

In CAR T-cell therapy, T-cells are genetically modified in the laboratory to express CARs on their surface. These chimeric antigen receptors are designed to recognize specific antigens found on the surface of cancer cells. By introducing these receptors into the T-cells, they become equipped to target and attack cancer cells that express the corresponding antigen. The CAR T-cells are then infused back into the patient’s body, where they can effectively seek out and destroy cancer cells, harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer.