June's team created 'armored' CAR-T cells that significantly increased effectiveness in mouse models and have shown promising initial results in human trials, including complete responses in lymphoma patients.

Despite rapid progress, June emphasizes the need to accelerate the translation of preclinical research into human treatments, recognizing the field's potential to revolutionize medicine.

IL-18 not only boosts CAR-T efficacy by activating innate immune components but may also serve as a growth factor for T cells, contributing to improved treatment outcomes.

June's pioneering work in CAR-T therapy led to the FDA approval of Kymriah in 2017, marking a significant milestone that has saved thousands of lives in blood cancer treatment.

Research has shown that CAR-T cells targeting pancreatic cancer tend to become exhausted within two weeks, unlike in blood cancers where they can remain active for years, prompting studies into mechanisms of exhaustion and potential solutions.

To combat T cell exhaustion in solid tumors like pancreatic cancer, June's lab is exploring genetic editing and molecular strategies, including CRISPR and base editing, to identify targets that can improve CAR-T effectiveness.

The team is actively working on expanding CAR-T applications to solid tumors by employing advanced gene editing techniques to prevent or reduce T cell exhaustion.

Beyond oncology, June co-founded a biotech startup focused on CAR-T therapies for autoimmune diseases, which was acquired by AbbVie for $2.1 billion, with early results showing promise in conditions like lupus.

This expansion into autoimmune applications reflects the broad potential of CAR-T technology, with over 140 clinical trials worldwide exploring its use beyond cancer.

Carl June, a leading scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, has received prestigious awards, including the Broermann Medical Innovation Award and the 2025 Balzan Prize, recognizing his pioneering work in engineering immune cells to fight cancer.

Recent advancements in CAR-T cell therapy include the development of 'armored' CAR-T cells secreting cytokine IL-18, which enhances their potency by activating innate immune responses, with promising results from ongoing trials at Penn.

The field is advancing quickly, with innovations like natural killer cells and delivery methods such as lipid nanoparticles speeding up the development of new therapies.