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(02/24/2026) Philadelphia VA and University of Pennsylvania researchers developed a new immunotherapy approach with potential as a treatment for a variety of cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy uses a patient’s own genetically engineered immune cells to recognize, target, and destroy cancer cells. The approach is highly effective against blood cancers but is less effective against cancers with solid tumors because of the immunosuppressive environment inside tumors. However, the researchers engineered CAR T-cells that secrete pro-inflammatory proteins to overcome this obstacle. In mouse models of breast and prostate cancer, the engineered CAR T-cell treatment significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival. The results suggest this approach could be a promising new precision cancer treatment. (Molecular Therapy, Jan. 10, 2026)