Current challenges for CAR T-cell therapy of acute myeloid leukemia.

KEY IDEAS Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has the potential to improve the dismal outcome of patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A major challenge for CAR T-cell therapy of AML patients is identifying leukemia-specific target antigens. Immune escape through down-regulation of target antigens and/or a suppressive tumor microenvironment jeopardizes the success of CAR T-cell therapy.