Cancer treatment has evolved tremendously in recent years. Common cancer treatments like immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery etc. are still being widely used where immunotherapy has significantly improved patient outcomes. New innovative types of immunotherapy treatment are also being offered to patients with limited options. Among these new innovative therapies, T-cell receptor (TCR) therapy is gaining attention.
TCR therapy is a new promising cancer treatment which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. While traditional therapies like chemotherapy attack both healthy and cancer cells, TCR therapy involves a more targeted approach.
In this blog, we will learn more about T-cell receptor therapy.
What is T-cell receptor Therapy?
T-cells help protect your body from infections. They are equipped with special structures called TCRs. The TCRs help T-cells recognize and destroy any infected or abnormal cells that might be present in your body. In case a cancerous cell is present in your body, it can be difficult for T-cells to fight them. In such cases, TCR therapy is useful. It reprograms the T-cells in such a way that they recognize and kill those cancerous cells.
TCR therapy is a type of immunotherapy. It works by enhancing the body’s natural immune system to attack cancer.
How Does T-Cell Receptor Therapy Work?
The process of TCR therapy includes the following steps:
- First, your healthcare professional will take your blood sample to collect T-cells.
- After that, these T-cells are genetically modified in a laboratory.
- This genetic modification adds new more effective T-cell receptors to those T-cells.
- These enhanced T-cell receptors are designed in such a way that they can specifically target and kill cancer cells.
- The modified T-cells are cultured and multiplied in large numbers.
- Lastly, these enhanced T-cells are infused back into your body for the treatment of cancer.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated with T-cell Receptor Therapy?
TCR therapy is a new and emerging treatment. Although its use is currently under research, it can be used for the treatment of the following cancers:
- Some types of blood cancers (B-cell leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma)
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Skin cancer
- Sarcomas
Apart from these, TCR therapy may also be better suited than chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy therapy for treating solid tumors.
What is the Key Difference Between T-cell receptor and CAR T-cell therapy?
Both TCR therapy and CAR T-cell therapy are a type of immunotherapy. Some of the key differences between them are:
| TCR Therapy | CAR T-cell Therapy |
| Uses modified TCRs to recognize cancer cells based on internal proteins presented on the surface of the cancer cells. | Uses modified CARs to target external proteins present on cancer cells. |
| Mores suited for solid tumors such as lung cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, etc. | Mostly effective for certain types of blood cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, etc. |
Both of these therapies are an advancement in the field of cancer treatment. Depending on your individual medical needs, your doctor will advise on what’s best for you.
What are the Side Effects of T-Cell Receptor Therapy?
TCR therapy may result in the following side effects:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Neurological symptoms such as confusion or headache
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) results in fever, chills, and low blood pressure
Although these side effects are temporary, you will be under observation for some time after getting TCR therapy.
To Conclude
Compared to other cancer treatments, TCR therapy is still in its early stages. It is a complex treatment and is not easily available. Still, research is quickly progressing and TCR therapy is reported to become more easily accessible and effective for a wide range of cancers.
Contact EdhaCare if you or your loved one is exploring cancer treatment. We will get you in touch with top medical experts who will discuss this advanced therapy with you. They will advise you if TCR therapy is the right choice for you.
FAQs
Is T-cell receptor therapy safe?
Like with any other therapy, TCR therapy also poses some side effects but it is usually safe when performed under the guidance of an expert. You will be under keen observation during and after the procedure to manage any risks if they appear.
How does T cell receptor therapy work?
TCR therapy works by genetically modifying a person’s T-cells. These modified T-cells further produce specialized T-cell receptors that are able to target and kill cancer cells. These enhanced TCRs are infused back into the patient’s body to destroy the cancerous cells that may be hidden.
What is TCR used for?
TCR therapy is used for the treatment of solid tumors such as lung cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, some types of blood cancers, etc.
What are the disadvantages of TCR therapy?
TCR therapy may result in some severe side effects such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
How successful is T-cell receptor therapy?
TCR therapy has been reported to be successful in specific cancers, especially solid tumors. Its effectiveness varies from person to person and the cancer type. Some studies have also reported significant tumor reduction and extended survival in some patients.