Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell (CAR – T) Therapy – A Novel Treatment in Cancer

Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases affecting mankind. It continues to defy all the treatment modalities and advancements and claims millions of lives every year. Chimeric Antigen Receptor –T (CAR-T) cell therapy is one of the breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Chimeric antigen receptor is a recombinant immunoreceptor that enables the T cells to recognise and kill tumour surface antigens in a non MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) restricted manner. There are four generations of CAR-T cells, of which the second generation CAR-T cells have maximum efficacy clinically. In 2017, two CAR-T cell therapies were approved by FDA for the treatment of ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) and NHL (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma). More than 80% remission is achieved with these tumours which are resistant to all other treatment modalities. Now CAR-T cell therapies are being tested for non – haematological malignancies also. However, the adverse effects of CAR-T cell therapies are very severe like Cytokine Release syndrome (CRS) and on - target off - tumour toxicity. This review will attempt to cover the basic concept and the applications of CAR-T cells, their adverse effects, challenges faced and the future prospects of the CAR-T cells in treatment of cancer.