A next-generation “armored” CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable results in patients with B-cell lymphomas that resisted multiple treatments, including existing CAR T therapies. In a phase I clinical trial led by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 81% of patients saw their cancer diminish, with 52% achieving complete remission, some lasting over two years. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, offer new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
The trial involved 21 patients who had undergone a median of seven prior therapies, nearly all having tried approved CAR T cell treatments without success. The new therapy, huCART19-IL18, was engineered to secrete interleukin 18 (IL18), a cytokine that enhances immune response by recruiting additional immune cells to aid the engineered T cells. This innovation not only improved cancer targeting but also showed no new safety risks beyond known side effects like cytokine release syndrome.
Dr. Jakub Svoboda, the trial’s lead investigator, emphasized the therapy’s potential, noting its manageable toxicity and durable remissions. The team also discovered that the shortened manufacturing time, just three days, compared to the standard nine to 14, may boost the therapy’s effectiveness.
“This new generation of CAR T cell therapy was highly effective in patients who had exhausted all options,” said Dr. Jakub Svoboda. “The results are incredibly encouraging.”
Dr. Carl June, a pioneer in CAR T cell therapy, added: “Incorporating cytokine secretion into CAR T design could revolutionize cellular therapies, even for solid tumors where CAR T has struggled.”
The study marks a significant step forward in cancer immunotherapy, with plans to expand trials to other blood cancers like ALL and CLL. The team is also refining manufacturing processes to accelerate future treatments. As research continues, this armored CAR T cell therapy could redefine outcomes for patients with resistant cancers.
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