Cancer immunotherapy has gained attention in recent years due to its potential in the treatment of cancer. T-cell therapy and CAR-T cell therapy are the two major forms of immunotherapies used for the therapeutic treatment of tumors. Both these strategies harness the natural defense mechanism of the immune system with modified T-cell receptors. CAR-T cell therapy has been widely adopted as the leading gene therapy for cancer treatment. The T cells have been taken from the patient’s blood sample and genetically modified to produce CAR-T cells and infused back into the patients. However, the treatment with CAR-T immunotherapy may pose a risk of toxicity, antigen heterogeneity, and antigen escapes.
To overcome the challenges, TCR therapy is a promising alternative to CAR-T therapy. The TCR-T cell therapy involves using modified T-cell receptors to recognize specific antigen sites on cancer cell surfaces. The therapy has shown efficacy in eliminating the targeted tumor cells by binding to the antigen on the cell surface. Ongoing research and participation of key TCR therapy market players have shown that the global market will grow in the future.
An Overview of TCR-T Therapy
TCR therapy uses engineering T-cell receptors to identify the tumor antigens presented by the MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) molecules. The key difference between CAR-T and T-cell therapy is that CAR-T therapy recognizes only one specific antigen on the cancer cell surfaces that is not expressed in solid tumors. On the other hand, modified T-cell receptors efficiently target intracellular antigen targets presented in MHC. Therefore, TCR therapy has been used widely in the treatment of cancer.
Difference between TCR-T Cell Therapy and CAR-T Cell Therapy
Some of the key differences between TCR therapeutic and CAR-T Cell therapy include:
Parameters
TCR-T Therapy
CAR-T Cell Therapy
Construction
Minimally and native-engineered T-cell receptors using genetic engineering
The engineered receptors included intracellular and extracellular domains.
Targeted Sites
T-cell receptors target intracellular antigens presented by the Major Histocompatibility Complex molecule.
It targets only cell surfaces.
Significances
It enables a huge diversity of targets as it has the potential to target intracellular antigen targets.
It allows highly sensitive binding interactions with MHC, enhancing outcomes of solid tumors.
The MHC complex molecules do not restrict cellular targets. It offers potential therapeutic results in the treatment of hematological cancer
Limitations
Restricted by the MHC compatibility molecules
It possesses side effects such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome.
Less effects on solid tumors
It possesses side effects such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome.
Potential Benefits of TCR Therapy
TCR therapy is highly versatile and targets specific approaches to treat cancer. Genetic engineering technology can modify T-cells according to the antigens binding sites marked on the cancer cells. In addition to this, other significant benefits of using T-cell receptor therapy include:
▪ Broad Antigen Recognition
T-cell receptors can easily be engineered to target a wide range of antigens presented on tumor cells through MHC molecules. The diverse antigen recognition makes TCR therapy applicable to treat different cancer forms, including those with multiple antigen recognition sites.
▪ Minimize the Risk of Antigen Escape
CAR-T therapy poses a great risk of antigen escape that leads to failures of therapy response. TCR therapy, on the other hand, can target multiple antigens, including those present inside the cells. Therefore, it helps to reduce the risk of antigen escape and improves the effectiveness of therapy.
▪ Target Flexibility
TCR therapeutics have the potential to target intracellular antigens located inside the cells. It offers significant advantages, particularly in treating cancer cells expressing antigens inside the cells instead of on surfaces.
▪ TCR Offer Personalized Treatment
Unlike CAR-T cell therapy, TCR therapy can easily be modified based on the specific cancer antigens on the cell surface. The tailored approach helps to improve therapeutic efficacy and eliminate the chances of off-target effects. Using this approach, researchers can provide precision therapy to treat various diseases.
▪ Ability to Treat Different Types of Cancer
TCR therapy has shown significant results in treating various cancers, such as hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In addition, a combination therapeutic approach can be followed to treat different forms of cancer. For instance, CAR-T cell therapy and TCR therapy can be combined to enhance the effectiveness and precision of cancer treatment.
▪ TCR Therapy Shows Positive Results in Solid Tumors
The ability to target intracellular antigens enhances the specificity of the TCR therapy, making it a feasible option for treating solid tumors.
Challenges in Adoption of TCR Therapies
Despite its significance, TCR-T cell therapy possesses several challenges that limit its acceptance at a large scale. Some of the possible challenges include difficulty in identifying targeted receptors and antigens. It requires deep knowledge of specific cell targets and antigen expression patterns on the tumor cells to develop T-cell receptors. Several market players are trying to understand T-cell receptors’ potential advantages, target sites, and limitations to overcome the challenges.
Top TCR Therapy Market Players
Examples of the top TCR therapy market players include:
▪ Adaptimmune Therapeutics
▪ Alaunos Therapeutics
▪ Blubird bio
▪ Bristol Myers Squibb
▪ Cellular Biomedicine Group
▪ Gilead Sciences
▪ GlaxoSmithKline
▪ Immatics
▪ Immunocore
▪ Intellia Therapeutics
▪ Lion TCR
▪ Takara Bio
Conclusion
Overall, TCR-T cell therapy represents a significant result in treating cancer patients. Immunotherapy is a broad field, and technological innovation opens gateways for the development of personalized therapeutic solutions. Several challenges must be addressed, and pharmaceutical players continually explore the potential of TCR therapies to treat cancer and other diseases. Driven by the above factor, we anticipate seeing significant advantages in the future in the fight against cancer.
About Roots Analysis
Roots Analysis is a global leader in the pharma / biotech market research. Having worked with over 750 clients worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, academia, venture capitalists and strategic investors for more than a decade, we offer a highly analytical / data-driven perspective to a network of over 450,000 senior industry stakeholders looking for credible market insights. All reports provided by us are structured in a way that enables the reader to develop a thorough perspective on the given subject. Apart from writing reports on identified areas, we provide bespoke research / consulting services dedicated to serve our clients in the best possible way.
