Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Immunotherapy for Tumor: A Review of Patent Literatures

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy, as an innovative method for tumor immunotherapy, acquires unprecedented clinical outcomes. Genetic modification not only provides T cells with the antigen-binding function but also endows T cells with better immunological functions both in solid and hematological cancer. However, the CAR T cell therapy is not perfect because of several reasons, such as tumor immune microenvironment, and autologous limiting factors of CAR T cells. Moreover, the safety of CAR T cells should be improved. Recently many patents and publications have reported the importance of CAR T cell immunotherapy. Based on the patents about CAR T cell immunotherapy, we conclude some methods for designing the CAR which can provide useful information to readers. This review presents recent patents and publications, summarizes some specific antigens for oncotherapy from patents and enumerate some approaches to treatment of immunosuppression and reinforcing the immune response of CAR T cells. We also sum up some strategies for improving the safety of CAR T cell immunotherapy. CAR T cell immunotherapy as a neotype cellular immunotherapy has been proved effective in oncotherapy and authorized by the FDA. Improvements in CAR designing have enhanced the functions of CAR T cells. This review, summarizing antigens and approaches to overcome defects of CAR T cell immunotherapy from patents and publications, might contribute to a broad readership.