Hema Now: The Next Generation of CAR-T Cell Therapy

In this episode of Hema Now, John Maher reflects on more than 2 decades at the forefront of CAR-T cell research. He discusses the major milestones that have transformed CAR-T therapy into a clinical reality, the biological barriers that continue to limit success in solid tumours, and the next-generation engineering approaches being developed to enhance efficacy and safety. Maher also shares insights into the origins of the CAR Mechanics Group, the challenge of overcoming the tumour microenvironment, and his vision for the future of cellular immunotherapy. Timestamps:   00:00 – Introduction   01:07 – Career Journey into Immunotherapy   02:22 – Key CAR-T Therapy Milestones   05:50 – Overcoming Solid Tumour Barriers   09:14 – Origins of CAR Mechanics   12:35 – Most Exciting Current Innovations   16:08 – Improving CAR-T Safety Profiles   20:07 – Challenges of Tumour Microenvironments   23:04 – Future of Cellular Immunotherapy   27:15 – Three Magic Wishes