AVANÇOS EM IMUNOTERAPIA COM CÉLULAS CAR-T: APLICAÇÕES E DESAFIOS

Abstract

CAR-T cell immunotherapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) represents a significant innovation in the treatment of refractory hematological cancers, such as leukemias and lymphomas. This approach uses genetically modified T lymphocytes to express chimeric receptors (CARs) designed to recognize and destroy tumor cells. CARs consist of a single-chain variable fragment of an antibody (ScFv) for specific antigen recognition, along with a T cell activation domain. The efficacy of CAR-T cells has been enhanced over generations, each with specific improvements to increase the anti-tumor response.Despite promising advances, the therapy is not without significant challenges. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), for instance, can pose a serious risk to patients and can even be fatal. Additionally, high costs and adverse effects limit its application, typically reserved for cases where other therapeutic options have proven ineffective. However, initiatives such as those developed by the Butantan Institute, USP, and the Hemocentro de Ribeirão, aiming to establish specialized centers in Brazil, promise to make this technology more accessible.