The “magic bullet” is here? Cell‐based immunotherapies for hematological malignancies in the twilight of the chemotherapy era

Abstract

Despite the introduction of a plethora of different anti‐neoplastic approaches including standard chemotherapy, molecularly targeted small‐molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and finally hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), there is still a need for novel therapeutic options with the potential to cure hematological malignancies. Although nowadays HSCT already offers a curative effect, its implementation is largely limited by the age and frailty of the patient. Moreover, its efficacy in combating the malignancy with graft‐versus‐tumor effect frequently coexists with undesirable graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). Therefore, it seems that cell‐based adoptive immunotherapies may constitute optimal strategies to be successfully incorporated into the standard therapeutic protocols. Thus, modern cell‐based immunotherapy may finally represent the long‐awaited “magic bullet” against cancer. However, enhancing the safety and efficacy of this treatment regimen still presents many challenges. In this review, we summarize the up‐to‐date state of the art concerning the use of CAR‐T cells and NK‐cell‐based immunotherapies in hemato‐oncology, identify possible obstacles, and delineate further perspectives.