Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Activation (CAR-T Activation)

T cell activation via chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) refers to the process by which T cells are genetically engineered to express synthetic receptors—chimeric antigen receptors—that enable them to recognize and attack specific target antigens, most commonly found on tumor cells. This approach is central to CAR T-cell therapy, a form of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy used primarily in cancer treatment. CARs are synthetic receptors consisting of an extracellular antigen-binding domain (typically a scFv), a hinge/spacer region, a transmembrane domain, and intracellular signaling domains (CD3ζ and costimulatory domains) that activate T cells upon antigen engagement. CAR-T cells are used in cancer therapy, particularly for hematologic malignancies.

Other names

CAR T-cell therapyCAR-T cell activationT cell activation via CARChimeric Antigen Receptor

Upon binding to target antigen, the CAR activates intracellular signaling pathways in the T cell, leading to proliferation, cytokine release, and target cell lysis.