FAQ: What is a chimeric antigen receptor?

A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is a synthetic protein designed to enable T-cells, a type of immune cell, to recognize and target specific cancer cells. CARs are engineered in the laboratory by combining different components from various proteins. They typically consist of an antigen-binding domain, which determines the CARs specificity for a particular cancer cell antigen, a transmembrane domain that anchors the CAR to the T-cell’s surface, and an intracellular signaling domain that activates the T-cell when the CAR binds to the cancer cell antigen. Once expressed on T-cells, CARs enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, making them a vital component of CAR T-cell therapy.