CD22-CAR therapy shows activity in rel/ref B-ALL

The median duration of response was 6 months (range, 1.5 to 21+ months). Three patients are still in CR at 6, 9, and 21 months of follow-up.

“The take-home message is that we’ve found another CAR T-cell therapy that displays high-level activity in this phase 1 trial,” Dr Mackall said. “But the relapse rate was also high. So this forces the field to get even more sophisticated. How much of a target is needed for successful, long-lasting treatment? What happens if we target both CD19 and CD22 simultaneously?”

The researchers are already tackling the last question by testing a CAR T-cell therapy that recognizes both CD19 and CD22. They’ve confirmed this therapy can kill cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Now, they’re testing it in a clinical trial that has opened at Stanford University and will open soon at the National Cancer Institute.

*This research was supported, in part, by the Intramural Research Program, National Cancer Institute and NIH Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health; by a Stand Up to Cancer–St. Baldrick’s Pediatric Dream Team translational research grant; and by a St. Baldrick’s Foundation Scholar Award.