Nanotechnology for CAR T cells and tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies

Adoptive T-cell therapies, and particularly CAR T cells and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, have transformed cancer treatment by selectively targeting malignant cells. Despite their clinical success, these therapies face substantial challenges, including costly manufacturing processes and tumour-imposed barriers that limit efficacy. Advances in understanding the nanoscale mechanisms governing T-cell activation and the role of the tumour microenvironment in restricting T-cell responses have driven the development of nanotechnology-based strategies that integrate key chemical and physical cues. Here we provide a brief overview of the current state of CAR T and tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies and discuss nanotechnology strategies to enhance their ex vivo production, in vivo performance and the direct in vivo generation of CAR T cells. We highlight nanotechnology’s transformative potential to overcome existing challenges, broaden therapeutic applications and identify factors that will shape the future of nanotechnology for CAR T and tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies. This Review analyses how nanotechnology is poised to make cell therapies like CAR T and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes more effective and accessible, and the challenges that this entails.