journal article·2026-06Open access

GPCRs in CAR‐T Cell Immunotherapy: Expanding the Target Landscape and Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy

Zhuoqun Liu, Yuchen Xiao, Yamin Zhao, Lihe Dai, David J.H. Shih, Shikang Liang, Honglei Tian, Liu Liu, Feng Tian, Bing Liu, Lei Chang, Chao Zhang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 35

Abstract

Abstract Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR‐T) therapy has shown significant efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. However, its application in solid tumors is still challenged by a scarcity of specific targets and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), due to their wide distribution and diverse signaling cascades in tumorigenesis, have emerged as promising targets for CAR‐T therapy. This review systematically integrates recent advances of GPCR CAR‐T therapy for cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on current targeting strategies and optimization approaches. This includes the identification of GPCRs as novel tumor‐associated antigens to expand CAR‐T therapeutic applications, co‐expressi on of chemokine receptors to enhance tumor infiltration, and utilization ofGPCR signaling pathways to improve CAR‐T cell persistence and cytotoxic efficacy. Potential future research directions include application of AI(Artificial Intelligence) to expedite the development of GPCR antibodies, creation of precision therapies targeting GPCR complexes, modulation of GPCR dimerization networks to maintain homeostasis of membrane antigen expression, employment of nanobody platform to enhance targeting specificity, and design of GPCR allosteric modulators as molecular switches for CAR‐T cells. Additionally, this review also examines the application of specific antibodies and other immunotherapeutic approaches of GPCRs in oncology. Overall, this review aims to provide novel scientific and therapeutic perspectives for CAR‐T cell therapy in treating mutiple types of human cancers.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: CAR-T cell therapy research · Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research · Biosimilars and Bioanalytical Methods

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Fundamental Research Center Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center) School of Medicine Tongji University Shanghai 201619 P. R. China

Department of Gynecology The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450000 P. R. China

Department of Urology Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital Shanghai 201805 P. R. China

School of Biomedical Sciences Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR 999077 P. R. China

Division of Life Science The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay Hong Kong SAR 999077 P. R. China

Shanghai Yuhui Pharmaceutical Technology (Group) Co., Ltd Shanghai 201203 P. R. China

Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical Data Science Institute of Biomedical Informatics School of Medicine Hebei University of Engineering Handan 056038 P. R. China

Department of Orthopedics and Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases Shanghai Jiao Tong University Pioneer Research Institute for Molecular and Cell Therapies, Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200080 P. R. China

Funding

National Science and Technology Major Project

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