ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell

Okay kiddo, a chimeric antigen receptor T cell is like a superhero that can fight bad guys in your body.

Here's how it works:

1. Scientists take T cells from your blood. T cells are like soldiers in your body that fight against diseases.

2. They modify the T cells to make them extra special. They add a new kind of protein, called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), to help the T cells find and kill specific bad guys, like cancer cells.

3. After modifying the T cells, they put them back into your body. These T cells are now like superheroes – they have the power to recognize and fight the specific bad guys they were designed to target!

The way they work is they are a type of white blood cell, or immune cell, that has been genetically engineered to produce a special protein on their surface that allows them to recognize cancer cells. This protein is made up of two parts: one part recognizes a specific marker on cancer cells (something that sets them apart from healthy cells), and the other part activates the T cell to attack those cancer cells.

When these specially engineered T cells are put back into a patient's body, they go to work attacking the cancer cells. It's like sending in an army of superheroes to fight the bad guys that are making you sick!

Overall, chimeric antigen receptor T cells are an exciting new development in the fight against cancer. They offer the potential to specifically target and destroy cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.