Innovation and opportunity for chimeric antigen receptor targeted T cells.

Adoptive cell therapy truly began with the introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The ability to manipulate genes through cloning and expression methodologies have allowed for the development of novel chimeric receptors to selectively target cancer when introduced into immune cells. Over the past decade, gene engineered cells have been tested in clinical trials throughout the world. Recent data and striking clinical responses demonstrate the power of this new type of therapy. Current challenges include managing a potent therapy that is a dividing, rather than a static drug, safeguarding against potential toxicity, and further development to enable access to a greater number of patients.