Advances in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, where lymphocytes become cancerous. The disease can emerge in either aggressive or indolent form, with poor 5-year survival rates for aggressive/relapsing forms. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of NHL pathogenesis is crucial for developing innovative therapies. In recent years, T cell immunotherapy, particularly CAR-T cell therapy, has shown promise in treating various types of cancers, including blood cancers. CAR-T cell therapy, which targets a pan–B-cell marker, CD19, has been approved by the US FDA for treating chemotherapy-resistant B-cell NHL.

CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying a patient's T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that targets cancer cells. This therapy has shown significant results in clinical trials, especially in patients with B-cell malignancies. However, challenges such as toxicity, antigen loss, and immune escape mechanisms remain. The article also discusses the structure of CAR molecules, the manufacturing and delivery of CAR-T cells, and the selection of target antigens. Despite the challenges, CAR-T cell therapy represents a significant advancement in the treatment of NHL, offering hope for patients with limited treatment options.