Two preclinical strategies aim to improve CAR‑T efficacy against solid tumors. Columbia University researchers reported HIT (HLA‑independent T cell) receptors engineered for ultra‑sensitive detection of CD70, eradicating kidney, ovarian and pancreatic tumors in models. HIT cells combine CAR‑like programmability with heightened antigen sensitivity, enabling recognition of low‑density targets. Separately, another study demonstrated enhanced CAR‑T potency via dual receptor knockout to ablate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling, a tumor‑derived immunosuppressive pathway. Genetic ablation of both PGE2 receptors in engineered T cells improved resistance to the suppressive tumor microenvironment and boosted antitumor function. Both approaches address core obstacles in solid tumor immunotherapy — antigen scarcity and immunosuppression — and, if translated clinically, could broaden CAR‑T applicability beyond hematologic malignancies.