CAR-ving a Path: Metalloprotease-Engineered CAR T Cells Tunnel through Solid Tumors.

Overcoming the physical barriers of the tumor microenvironment remains a major obstacle for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in solid tumors. In this issue, Van Pelt and colleagues show that engineering GD2-targeting CAR T cells to express matrix metalloproteinase 7 and osteopontin-b enhances their ability to infiltrate tumors rich in extracellular matrix. These modifications improve functionality in preclinical models without increasing off-target toxicity. The findings highlight a promising strategy to design CAR T cells with extracellular matrix-remodeling capabilities. See related article by Van Pelt et al., p. 1732.