chimeric antigen receptor

Definition of chimeric antigen receptor

chimeric antigen receptor (ky-MEER-ik AN-tih-jen reh-SEP-ter): A special receptor created in the laboratory that is designed to bind to certain proteins on cancer cells. The chimeric antigen receptor is then added to immune cells called T cells. This helps the T cells find and kill cancer cells that have the specific protein that the receptor is designed to bind. These changed T cells called chimeric antigen receptor T cells are then grown in large numbers in the laboratory and given to cancer patients. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells are being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Also called CAR.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms