Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reported preclinical results in Cancer Cell showing IL‑12‑producing CAR T cells designed to target tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment and improved survival in aggressive ovarian and lung cancer mouse models. The engineered CAR T cells killed immunosuppressive macrophages and delivered local IL‑12 to stimulate anti‑tumor immunity without systemic toxicity at lower doses. A related report framed the approach as a “Trojan horse” — using CAR T to remove cellular barriers that block immune infiltration rather than targeting tumor cells directly. Authors suggest the strategy could broaden CAR T utility in solid tumors by overcoming the immunosuppressive TME that has stymied many prior efforts. Clarification: tumor‑associated macrophages are immune cells that tumors reprogram to suppress anti‑tumor responses; targeting them aims to remove a key barrier to effective immunotherapy.