Hema Now: The Next Generation of CAR-T Cell Therapy

In this episode of Hema Now, John Maher reflects on more than 2 decades at the forefront of CAR-T cell research. He discusses the major milestones that have transformed CAR-T therapy into a clinical reality, the biological barriers that continue to limit success in solid tumours, and the next-generation engineering approaches being developed to enhance efficacy and safety. Maher also shares insights into the origins of the CAR Mechanics Group, the challenge of overcoming the tumour microenvironment, and his vision for the future of cellular immunotherapy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:07 – Career Journey into Immunotherapy 02:22 – Key CAR-T Therapy Milestones 05:50 – Overcoming Solid Tumour Barriers 09:14 – Origins of CAR Mechanics 12:35 – Most Exciting Current Innovations 16:08 – Improving CAR-T Safety Profiles 20:07 – Challenges of Tumour Microenvironments 23:04 – Future of Cellular Immunotherapy 27:15 – Three Magic Wishes Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode belong to the speakers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of EMJ.