BioCentury
ARTICLE | Targets & Mechanisms

T cell balancing act

The latest debate in CAR T is whether CD8+ or CD4+ cells play the bigger role

June 22, 2018 1:34 AM UTC

Among the improvements to next-generation CAR T cell therapies is the need to optimize the ratios of the different T cell subsets. While CD8+ T cells have grabbed most of the attention, a study from City of Hope suggests that for some cancers, companies should look to CD4+ cells instead.

The dominant hypothesis is that CD8+ T cells are the primary cytotoxic agents in CAR T therapies. CD4+ T cells have played a Cinderella role, perceived as helpers that boost the killing power of their CD8+ counterparts. ...