The Challenge, Approval and Future of TCR T Cell Therapy

Advances in cell and gene therapy have led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved adoptive cell therapies to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors. There is great enthusiasm in the immune-oncology field for engineered cellular therapies, which can unleash the true killing potential of cytotoxic T cells. Indeed, T cell responses can now be engineered with a desired specificity, avidity and function, regardless of the endogenous T cell repertoire. Moreover, T cells expressing a tumor/self-antigen-targeting chimeric antigen receptor or high-affinity T cell receptor (TCR) can be engineered to have enhanced tumor homing, proliferation, persistence, and antitumor function. In this session, we will discuss the recent milestones and future challenges facing the field of engineered T cell therapy with a focus on TCR-engineered T cells.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the advantages and limitations of TCR gene therapy.

2. Cite the first FDA-approved TCR gene therapy for solid tumors.