Bispecific and CAR T-cell immunotherapies for advanced prostate cancer

The generation of an antigen-specific immune response, either directed against foreign- or self-antigens, pathogens, or tumor cells, is a highly coordinated process. At the helm of this process are Cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the prototypical effector cells. Their activation, proliferation, homing, and effector functions are positively and negatively influenced by their immediate surroundings. The tumor microenvironment of advanced prostate cancer is notoriously known as an immune desert. As such, immune checkpoint inhibition alone often does not evoke an anti-tumor immune response. Novel redirected T cell immunotherapies (e.g. CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies) are beginning to change the treatment paradigm with some early promising activity. We review here novel T cell immunotherapy strategies currently under clinical investigation, and challenges therein, for men with advanced prostate cancer.