Redirected T cells genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have induced spectacular remissions of refractory leukemia/lymphoma in early phase trials, attracting interest to use CAR T cells in a variety of other applications including solid cancer and nonmalignant diseases. However, extensive preclinical explorations demand highly effective and robust procedures for the genetic modification of blood T cells; the same applies for engineering with a recombinant T cell receptor. We present laboratory procedures in a step-by-step protocol to engineer human and mouse T cells with a CAR by γ-retro- or lentiviral transduction for further preclinical testing.
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