CRISPR Upgrades Immune Cells to Breach Solid Tumours

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has firmly established itself as a powerful weapon against specific blood cancers, securing regulatory approval worldwide. However, this revolutionary treatment faces a stubborn barrier: solid tumours. Unlike liquid cancers, solid masses present a complex, hostile environment where engineered immune cells often fail to traffic effectively or penetrate the tumour bed.

The ineffectiveness of current therapies in these cases is attributed to multiple factors, including ‘antigen heterogeneity’—where targets vary between cells—and the tumour’s ability to suppress the immune system. To dismantle these defences, researchers are harnessing advanced gene-editing platforms, most notably CRISPR/Cas9. This technology offers the precision required to disrupt, correct, or activate specific genes within the T-cells, fundamentally altering their capabilities.

A particularly promising approach is ‘multiplex genome editing’, which allows scientists to target multiple genes simultaneously. By inducing specific changes in cellular behaviour, researchers aim to create supercharged CAR-T cells that can withstand the toxicities of the tumour microenvironment and infiltrate the mass more effectively. As clinical trials progress, these genetically edited cells represent a crucial step toward translating the success of blood cancer immunotherapy into effective treatments for solid malignancies.