Single-center phase 1 study of enhanced CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma after previous failure

CAR T cells targeting CD19 have transformed the treatment of B-cell cancers, but many patients do not have long-term remission. A phase 1 study at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) evaluated the anti-CD19 enhanced CAR T-cell product huCART19-IL18, that secretes interleukin-18 to enhance antitumor activity, among patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma after failure of previous anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. huCART19-IL18 had a safety profile consistent with other CAR T-cell treatments. Robust CAR T-cell expansion was detected. At 3 months after infusion, a complete or partial response was seen in 81% of patients (90% CI 62-93) and a complete response in 52% (33-71). The authors conclude that huCART19-IL18 showed promising efficacy in patients with lymphoma after the failure of previous anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.