TScan Therapeutics Inc (TCRX)

[FACT-MASTER]

https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-021-01115-0

"It is essential to conquer the obstacles associated with the manufacturing and administration of TCR therapy, including those challenges posed by the immunosuppressive microenvironment in solid tumors, as well as to develop next-generation strategies designed to improve the efficacy and safety of TCR therapies [107]. Although current TCR therapies have the potential to cure selected patients who meet the criteria to receive these treatments, given that MHC-I is downregulated/deficient in 40–90% of patients, these treatments may not be suitable or efficacious for the majority of patients with solid tumors. TCRs are promising because there are more cancer antigens available inside the cells than on the surface, e.g., CAR-T cells can only target surface antigens, whereas engineered TCR-T cells will recognize and attack intracellular tumor-related antigens. These two approaches complement each other. Ongoing and future clinical trials will determine the role of TCR therapy in the armamentarium of therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Conclusion

TCR-based adoptive cell therapies are currently being tested in a variety of advanced cancers with the results to date indicating that the technology is presumptively safe and prospectively efficacious. Such therapies will likely complement, not replace CAR-T-based therapies as their distinct attributes will further address unique aspects associated with the diverse solid tumor landscape. Many challenges need to be addressed to fully exploit TCR-based therapies, including those associated with TCR product manufacturing, patient selection, patient preparation with lymphodepletion, administration of treatment and monitoring of adverse events. Overcoming these challenges, and those posed by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, as well as developing next-generation strategies are essential for improving the efficacy, safety and widespread applicability of TCR-based therapies. Ongoing and future clinical trials will determine the role of TCR therapy in patients with solid tumors."