A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) sprouts from the surface of a genetically re-engineered white blood cell.
The receptor is a manufactured protein, and designed by molecular biologists to seek out and interact with specific antigens appearing on cancer cells.
Now empowered with CAR, these killer T-cells are infused into the patient to attack and kill cancer cells.
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly growing field that is showing incredible promise. Numerous clinical trials are underway.