Recent advances in universal chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy

While chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is highly effective for hematological malignancies, its widespread use is limited by complex, patient-specific manufacturing. Universal CAR-T (UCAR-T) cells, derived from allogeneic donors, offer a potential "off-the-shelf" solution. However, their clinical translation hinges on overcoming two key immunological barriers: graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and host-versus-graft rejection (HvGR), which compromise safety and therapeutic persistence. This review summarizes recent advances in UCAR-T cell engineering and clinical strategies designed to improve both safety and efficacy. We discuss gene-editing technologies—such as CRISPR/Cas9 and base editors—used to prevent GvHD by ablating the T cell receptor (TCR) and to evade HvGR by disrupting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression. We also explore the development of UCAR-T products from alternative cell sources with low intrinsic alloreactivity, such as γδ T cells. Furthermore, we detail multifaceted approaches to augment UCAR-T cell function and persistence, from the perspectives of enhancing intrinsic functions, reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) and overcoming tumor heterogeneity. Finally, we analyze recent clinical trial outcomes, which show promising efficacy in hematological malignancies but highlight ongoing challenges in solid tumors. The continued integration of sophisticated cellular engineering with innovative clinical strategies—such as enhanced lymphodepletion, combination therapies, and alternative administration routes—will be essential to realize the full potential of UCAR-T as a widely accessible and potent cell therapy.