Cell Therapy in Solid Cancers: Current and Future Landscape

Dear Colleagues,

Our ability to leverage the immune system to treat cancer is now a reality with broad applications across oncology. Using novel designer molecules (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, nano-bodies, BiTEs) to pharmacologically target immune checkpoints and recruit the host’s innate immune effectors directly to the tumor cells has been the main modality so far. This approach achieved long-term remission in a small subset of cancer patients but requires regular administration, and many others will invariably progress.  As such, the idea of introducing manipulated cancer-targeting immune cells into a patient as a “living cure” is highly attractive.

Modified cell therapy, such as CAR-T, is now a standard in several hematologic malignancies and holds great promise in solid tumors. There are different challenges when treating solid tumors, including tumor heterogeneity and a complex tumor microenvironment that may impede treatment delivery and counter the desired anti-cancer immune effects. As the field advances, there will be more scientific and technological questions that need innovative solutions, including enhancing CAR-T therapy, developing “off-the-shelf” anti-cancer cell products, the role of non-T-cells such as NK cells and macrophages, appropriate conditioning regimen, and management of long-term toxicities in survivors. We will continue to innovate because our patients need this.

The excitement of witnessing the dawn of the modified cell therapy era in oncology cannot be understated. In this Special Issue, we have invited subject matter experts to educate us on the current landscape in the clinical development of this modality in treating solid tumors and provide insights into what the future holds. 

Dr. Wenwee Ma
Prof. Dr. Jan Joseph Melenhorst
Dr. Li Yin
Guest Editors

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• cell therapy
• solid tumors
• immunotherapy
• CAR-T
• NK cell