Editor’s Note: Universal CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as one of the most dynamic frontiers in cellular immunotherapy. Characterized by its “off-the-shelf” availability and broad clinical potential, it has drawn increasing attention from both researchers and clinicians.
The 2025 Chinese Association of Research Hospitals Conference on Cell Therapy and Biomedical Frontiers, jointly organized by the Cell Research and Therapy Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Xiong’an Institute for Translational Research in Medicine and Engineering of Peking University People’s Hospital, was successfully held in Xiong’an from October 31 to November 1, 2025.
At this conference, Professor Liang Aibin from Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, delivered an insightful presentation titled “Advances in Universal CAR-T Therapy.” Following his talk, Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier conducted an in-depth interview with Professor Liang to discuss the core concepts, technological evolution, and clinical translation of universal CAR-T therapies.
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier:
Professor Liang, could you briefly introduce the basic concept of universal CAR-T therapy? How does it differ from conventional autologous CAR-T therapy in terms of advantages and clinical value?
Prof. Liang Aibin:
As the name suggests, universal CAR-T cell therapy refers to a treatment platform that can be applied to virtually any patient who meets the therapeutic indications. In contrast, autologous CAR-T therapy is derived from and used only for the individual patient. Therefore, universal CAR-T therapy offers broader applicability and greater accessibility.
The cell sources for universal CAR-T are also more diverse. Beyond the traditionally engineered αβ T cells—which undergo extensive gene editing—researchers are now exploring γδ T cells and CAR-T cells regulated at the population or genomic level, representing novel directions for development.
Moreover, the concept of “universal cell therapy” extends beyond CAR-T itself. It also encompasses CAR-NK cell therapy and the emerging in vivo CAR-T technologies, in which CAR-T cells are generated directly within the body. All these approaches fall within the broader category of universal cell-based immunotherapies.
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier:
What are some of the most significant technological advances in universal CAR-T research in recent years? Could you share Tongji Hospital’s innovations and progress in clinical trials and translational research?
Prof. Liang Aibin:
In recent years, the field of universal cell therapy has achieved a series of milestone breakthroughs, among which the development of in vivo gene-edited CAR-T technology is particularly noteworthy. As the technology matures, sophisticated carrier materials are now capable of being directly injected into the body, where they infect T cells and induce CAR expression in situ. This innovation represents one of the most promising directions for next-generation universal cell therapies.
At the same time, traditional universal CAR-T technologies have continued to evolve. From the first-generation CAR-T, which required CD52 monoclonal antibody preconditioning, to second-generation CAR-Ts employing multiple gene-editing strategies, and now to the third-generation universal CAR-T developed by Professors Han Weidong and Wei Wensheng at Beijing 301 Hospital—these advances illustrate rapid technological progress. The latest platform uses SPPL3 single-gene knockout to modulate glycosylation-dependent regulation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) functions, thereby enhancing safety, universality, and therapeutic precision.
Furthermore, industrial players engaged in universal CAR-T manufacturing are continuously upgrading production platforms and optimizing processes, leading to a more mature and scalable industrial ecosystem. It is anticipated that a new wave of universal CAR-T products will soon enter clinical pipelines, further expanding the therapeutic landscape of cellular immunotherapy.
Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier:
Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the clinical application of universal CAR-T therapies? What key challenges remain before they can be widely implemented?
Prof. Liang Aibin:
The defining feature of universal CAR-T therapy lies in its “off-the-shelf” availability—it can be administered immediately, without the long waiting times required for autologous CAR-T manufacturing. In addition, because the production process is standardized and well-characterized, the manufacturing cost is comparatively lower, which significantly enhances its potential for widespread clinical adoption.
Universal CAR-T therapy shows promise not only in oncology, but also in autoimmune diseases and other therapeutic areas. However, its clinical efficacy—particularly in tumor clearance and disease control—still lags slightly behind that of autologous CAR-T therapy. Encouragingly, as technological barriers continue to be overcome, some universal CAR-T products have already demonstrated in vivo expansion and tumor-killing capabilities approaching those of autologous CAR-T cells.
In the future, universal CAR-T therapies are expected to play an increasingly vital role, especially for patients whose T-cell function is impaired or deficient. Moreover, their “ready-to-use” nature enables combination regimens—for example, integrating with targeted therapies, stem cell transplantation, or other modalities—to achieve synergistic therapeutic effects and broaden their clinical impact.
Expert Profile
Professor Liang Aibin Chief Physician, Ph.D. Supervisor, and Second-Level Professor Director, Institute of Hematology, Tongji University Director, Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Tongji University
Academic and Professional Roles:
- Vice President, 6th Committee of the Hematology Physicians Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
- Vice Chair, Integrative Hematologic Oncology Committee, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association
- Vice Chair, Biotherapy Committee, Chinese Research Hospital Association
- Vice Chair, Experimental Hematology Committee, Chinese Society of Pathophysiology
- National Committee Member, Chinese Society of Hematology, Chinese Medical Association
- Standing Committee Member, Hematology Branch, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
- Chair, Hematology Branch, Shanghai Medical Association
- Vice Chair, Hematology Branch, Shanghai Anti-Cancer Association
- Vice Chair, Hematologic Immunology Committee, Shanghai Immunology Society
Honors and Recognitions:
- First Prize, Shanghai Medical Science and Technology Award
- National Distinguished Physician
- 2024 Top 10 Medical Contribution Experts in China
- Chief Scientist, National Key R&D Program
- National Young and Middle-Aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions
- Recipient of the State Council Special Allowance
- National “Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talents Project” honoree
- St. Anthony–EBMT Young Leader Award
- “National Outstanding Physician” (4th cohort)
- “Shanghai Benevolent Physician Award”
- National Health System Model Worker
- “Scientist of the Year (2018), Science China”
- Shanghai Leading Talent
- “Golden Award for Hospital Management,” National Health Commission
- “Silver Snake Award,” Shanghai Medical System’s Highest Honor for Young Physicians
- “New Century Excellent Talents” Award, Ministry of Education
- “Dawn Scholar,” “Morning Star,” and other honors from Shanghai Municipality
Academic Achievements: Professor Liang has led over 30 national and provincial-level research projects, received five scientific achievement awards, and published more than 300 papers, including over 150 SCI-indexed publications. He has authored or edited more than 10 hematology monographs, led the drafting of over 20 national guidelines and expert consensuses, and spearheaded multiple clinical trials of CAR-T therapies in China.
