CAR-T cell therapy – A new era in cancer medicine

The treatment of cancer still poses major challenges for modern medicine in a number of areas. Although numerous treatment options with good prospects of success already exist for many types of cancer, there are still forms of cancer that are associated with significantly poorer prognoses.

Thanks to intensive research, it is possible to shed light on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer and, based on this, develop new forms of therapy.

One of these innovative therapies is CAR-T cell therapy. It is a personalized cell, gene, and immunotherapy in one. Certain immune cells of the patient are genetically modified so that they are then able to specifically detect and destroy cancer cells. The key feature is that the CAR-T cells remain in the patient's body for a very long time, thus enabling a long-lasting effect.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology supports research institutions as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the development of new cell and gene therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy. Among other things, the institute conducts preclinical efficacy and safety studies in accordance with GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) and develops, tests, and optimizes manufacturing processes for cell and gene therapies in accordance with pharmaceutical quality standards. This creates the conditions for transfer to clinical trials, where new therapies are tested in humans for the first time. As part of clinical studies, Fraunhofer IZI manufactures investigational medicinal products in accordance with the quality criteria of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and thus accompanies new products through to approval.

With its research services, the institute has been and continues to be involved in the preclinical and clinical development of several CAR-T cell therapies. For example, the institute was involved in the production of clinical trial drugs for the world's first approved CAR-T cell therapy (Kymriah, Novartis). Fraunhofer IZI is currently supporting the University Hospital of Würzburg in the development of a new generation of CAR-T cell therapies that will also be used to treat solid tumors.