@article {Scarf{\`o}28, author = {Irene Scarf{\`o} and Marcela V. Maus}, title = {Current approaches to increase CAR T cell potency in solid tumors: targeting the tumor microenvironment}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, elocation-id = {28}, year = {2017}, doi = {10.1186/s40425-017-0230-9}, publisher = {BMJ Specialist Journals}, abstract = {Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy represents a revolutionary treatment for haematological malignancies (i.e. B-ALL). However, the success of this type of treatment has not yet been achieved in solid tumors. One hypothesis is that the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences and affects the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. Understanding the role of the TME and its interaction with CAR T-cells is crucial to improve the potency of adoptive immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the strategies and potential combinatorial approaches recently developed in mouse models to enhance the efficacy of CAR T-cells, with particular emphasis on the translational potential of these approaches.Abbreviations:ACTAdoptive cell therapyB-ALLB-cells acute lymphoblastic leukemiaBMSCsBone marrow stromal cellsCARChimeric antigen receptorCASCsCancer-associated stromal cellsCDCluster of differentiationCD40LCD40 ligandCTLA-4Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associate protein 4CXCRC-X-C motif chemokine receptorDCDendritic cellEGFRtTruncated epidermal growth factor receptorFAPFibroblast activation proteinHLAHuman leukocyte antigenHPGsHeparan sulfate proteoglycansHPSEHeparanaseIDOIndoleamine 2,3 dioxygenaseIgImmunoglobulinILInterleukinINFγInterferon gammaMDSCMyeloid-derived suppressor cellsMHCMajor histocompatibility complexNKNatural killerPD-1Programmed death-1PD-L1PD-1 ligandPGE2Prostaglandin E2PKAProtein kinase ARIADRegulatory subunit I anchoring disruptorscFvSingle chain variable fragmentTAAsTumor-associated antigensTGFβTrasforming growth factor betaTILsTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesTMETumor microenvironmentTRUCKT-cells redirected for universal cytokine-mediated killingUCBUmbilical cord blood}, URL = {https://jitc.bmj.com/content/5/1/28}, eprint = {https://jitc.bmj.com/content/5/1/28.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer} }