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Researcher in lab studying CAR T cells

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy that can be used to treat certain types of cancer. CAR T works by capitalizing on the power of the body’s immune system, which protects against illnesses and infections by destroying potentially dangerous invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.

While cancer is also a harmful invader, many cancerous cells have unique characteristics that help them evade detection by the immune system so that they can progress and form tumors. CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying a patient’s white blood cells (T cells) to enhance the ability of the immune system to identify, target and destroy cancerous cells.

Leading the way with CAR T clinical trials

As a respected pioneer of many novel cancer therapies, Moffitt Cancer Center is coordinating the development of CAR T clinical trials on a national level. Working in close collaboration with cancer centers across the nation, we have achieved several significant breakthroughs in CAR-T therapy. For instance, immediately following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval of Yescarta - a treatment for large B-cell lymphoma that did not respond well to conventional treatments - we made it possible for the first patient in the world to benefit from this promising CAR-T therapy, which has revolutionized the treatment of refractory lymphoma. Moffitt has also led pivotal clinical trials that have led to FDA approvals of CAR-T therapies for multiple types of lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma. 

In addition to lymphoma, Moffitt is currently conducting CAR T clinical trials for other types of blood cancer. Our research team is also exploring cellular therapy, including CAR T-cell therapy, for solid tumor malignancies such as head and neck cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, lung cancers, gynecologic cancers, skin cancers and melanoma, and many other cancer types. We are steadfastly committed to developing new and better strategies for the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. Along with the many patients who participate, our CAR T clinical trials can potentially benefit countless individuals whose lives will be impacted by cancer in the future.

Medically reviewed by Hany Elmariah, MD, MS

New clinical trials are opening at Moffitt every month. If you’d like to learn more about the CAR T clinical trials currently underway at Moffitt, you can request an appointment with a specialist in our renowned Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy Program by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online.