Interdisciplinary Innovations in CAR T Cell Therapy for Autoimmune and Cancer Treatment

The field of engineered cell therapies is rapidly advancing, offering promising new treatments for autoimmune conditions and cancer. Recent applications, particularly the use of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) in T cells, have demonstrated significant efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. This success suggests that the complex interactions between therapeutic cells and their targets could lead to innovative treatments for both autoimmune diseases and cancer. Initial trials using CAR T cells in patients with autoimmune disorders have shown encouraging results, fostering optimism that these therapies could provide long-sought solutions for chronic immune pathologies. The overlap between cancer immunology and autoimmune treatment strategies indicates that insights gained in one area may benefit the other. Despite the early stage of this interdisciplinary endeavor, which requires collaboration among rheumatologists, oncologists, and basic researchers, the potential of this new branch of synthetic medicine is generating considerable excitement. However, the application of CAR T cells and other engineered cell approaches necessitates a balanced approach, combining hope with caution and creativity.

This research topic aims to enhance interdisciplinary communication and understanding among the various disciplines involved in this burgeoning field of medicine. By fostering collaboration, the goal is to advance the development and application of engineered cell therapies for autoimmune conditions and cancer. The collection seeks to address key questions, such as the construction and design of CAR T cell receptors, the practical aspects of screening and manufacturing CAR therapies, and the feasibility of using different host cells. Additionally, it aims to explore the application of these therapies to a wide range of autoimmune conditions and cancer types, as well as the effects and responses observed in treated patients.

To gather further insights in the intersection of cell therapy and immunology, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Construction of CAR or other engineered T cell receptors
- Traditional and innovative CAR structural designs
- Practical aspects of screening and manufacturing CAR therapies
- Feasibility studies in various host cells, including CD4/CD8 T cells, regulatory T cells, NK cells, and innate immune cells
- Applications to a growing list of autoimmune conditions and cancer types
- Effects and responses in treated patients
- Applications of cell therapies in pre-clinical model systems
- Original observations from clinical trials employing cell therapies in autoimmunity and cancer
- Challenges and opportunities in interdisciplinary and translational medicine
- Opinions guiding future goals in this new frontier of medicine

Note that topic editor Prof. Sonja Schrepfer is the Scientific Founder and Senior Vice President at Sana Biotechnology Inc.

Keywords: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), Autoimmune diseases, cell engineering, systemic lupus erythematosus, clinical trials, T lymphocytes, Cancer immunology, Cancer therapy, Immuno-oncology

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.