Study reveals how CAR T cells kill cancer cells in new research

A new study in Science Advances reveals how two types of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells kill cancer cells. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and other institutions focused on the molecular dynamics at the immune synapse, where CAR T cells interact with cancer cells. The study found that CD28.ζ-CAR T cells act quickly but have a short lifespan, while 4-1BB.ζ-CAR T cells work more slowly but sustain their activity over time. This understanding may help in designing more effective CAR T cells for challenging cancers, like solid tumors. The research team examined the behavior of CAR T cells at the immune synapse, discovering distinct patterns in how they operate. Future studies will aim to adapt these CAR T cells to improve their effectiveness against various types of tumors.