Gene-Modified T Cell Therapy for Pediatric Cancers: Where Do We Go From Here?

T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors are highly effective at eradicating malignant B cells resulting in recent approval for the treatment of refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and B cell lymphoma in adults. However, a substantial number of patients will relapse or not respond and extension of CAR T cell therapy to other forms of cancer has met challenges. Terry’s presentation will review the status of current CAR T cell therapy for human cancer;and, highlight strategies to optimize CAR T cells to improve remission durability and to address barriers to success in other forms of cancer.