Tumor antigen recognition by engineered lymphocytes

Tumor antigen recognition by engineered lymphocytes is a therapeutic process rather than a single molecular target, involving the genetic reprogramming of T cells to identify and destroy malignant cells (National Cancer Institute, 2022). This approach primarily utilizes Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) or modified T-cell receptors (TCRs) to redirect lymphocyte specificity toward tumor-associated antigens (June et al., Science, 2018). CAR-T cells recognize surface antigens in an MHC-independent manner, whereas TCR-engineered cells target intracellular antigens presented as peptides on MHC molecules (Rosenberg & Restifo, Science, 2015). Upon binding to the target antigen, the engineered lymphocytes activate signaling cascades that lead to cytokine production, proliferation, and direct lysis of the tumor cell. This mechanism is the basis for several FDA-approved therapies targeting antigens like CD19 and BCMA in hematologic cancers (FDA, 2023). However, the process can trigger significant adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, due to systemic immune activation (Neelapu et al., Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 2018). Ongoing research aims to expand this modality to solid tumors by identifying novel antigens and overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Other names

Adoptive cell transferCAR-T cell therapyTCR-T cell therapyEngineered T-cell therapyAdoptive immunotherapy

Recognition of specific tumor-associated antigens by synthetic or modified receptors on engineered lymphocytes, triggering cytotoxic activity.