CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy has been hailed as a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment, but it has not yet become mainstream since the US FDA approved the first cell-gene therapy to treat leukemia in 2018. However, the global market for immuno-oncology, including CAR-T, is expected to explode from US$1 billion in 2020 to US$20.3 billion by 2028, with two million patients in ten years, according to Grandview Research. Recently, the Australian government has approved the use of Yescarta, a type of CAR-T cell therapy, for patients with certain types of lymphoma. Some ASX-listed companies, including Immutep and AdAlta, are also making significant strides in the T-cell therapy space.
CAR-T therapy involves genetically modifying T-cells to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. The patient’s white blood cells are first collected, and T-cells are separated and genetically modified to recognize the specific cancer. However, CAR-T therapy is only currently effective in blood cancers and not solid tumors due to the difficulty in finding and targeting tumor-specific antigens, getting T-cells into solid tumors, and overcoming the tumor environment’s immune system suppression. AdAlta’s collaboration with Carina Biotech aims to overcome these challenges through i-bodies, genetically modified next-generation antibodies that can target solid tumors, and Carina’s technology to overcome immuno-suppression.
The major obstacles to mass adoption of CAR-T therapies are the cost of the treatment, which is around US$400,000 for a single dose, and the safety issues associated with the therapy, with some patients experiencing severe adverse events. However, CAR-T therapy has the potential to save lives, especially for patients with no other options. Other ASX-listed companies that focus on CAR-T therapies include Chimeric Therapeutics, Prescient Therapeutics, and Imugene.
