CAR T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy where a patient’s T cells are modified in the laboratory to better fight cancer, is expanding beyond its current applications primarily in blood cancers to solid tumors. Researchers are exploring ways to overcome the unique challenges posed by the tumor microenvironments in solid cancers, which can suppress immune responses. Enhancements in genetic engineering and better vector systems for delivering therapeutic genes are making these treatments more feasible and effective.
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Another promising area is the field of oncolytic virus therapy, where viruses are used to infect and kill cancer cells. These viruses are engineered to target only cancerous cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Not only do these viruses directly cause the death of tumor cells, but they also stimulate an immune response against the cancer. The versatility of this approach is being enhanced through combinations with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, to improve outcomes.
Radioligand therapy, which involves delivering radiation directly to cancer cells via targeted molecules, is another emerging treatment modality. This therapy combines a targeting compound (such as an antibody or small molecule) that binds to cancer cells, with a radioactive particle that delivers lethal doses of radiation directly to the tumor. This approach aims to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues and is particularly promising for treating metastatic cancers.
