Nanomaterials Boost CAR-T Therapy for Solid Tumors

T cell engineering, particularly via chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modifications for enhancing tumor specificity, has shown efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. The extension of CAR-T cell therapy to solid tumors, however, is impeded by several challenges: The absence of tumor-specific antigens, antigen heterogeneity, a complex immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and physical barriers to cell infiltration. Additionally, limitations in CAR-T cell manufacturing capacity and the high costs associated with these therapies restrict their widespread application. The integration of nanomaterials into CAR-T cell production and application offers a promising avenue to mitigate these challenges. Utilizing nanomaterials in the production of CAR-T cells can decrease product variability and lower production expenses, positively impacting the targeting and persistence of CAR-T cells in treatment and minimizing adverse effects. This review comprehensively evaluates the use of various nanomaterials in the production of CAR-T cells, genetic modification, and in vivo delivery. It discusses their underlying mechanisms and potential for clinical application, with a focus on improving specificity and safety in CAR-T cell therapy. Nanomaterials, acting as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs), enhance T cell activation and expansion. Nanomaterials improve chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene delivery to T cells. Nanomaterials bolster functional T cell persistence and in vivo transport. The challenges encountered by nanomaterials in solid tumor CAR-T Therapy encompass obstacles related to T cells, tumor properties, design strategies, and quality control of nanomaterials. image