New Cellular Immunotherapy Approach Shows Promise for B-cell Lymphoma

A groundbreaking cell-based immunotherapy is emerging as a beacon of hope for patients battling B-cell lymphomas, a type of blood cancer. This innovative approach could revolutionize cancer treatment by reducing costs and increasing accessibility. Unlike traditional Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T), which relies on patient-specific immune cell modification, this new therapy, known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer cell therapy (CAR-NK), leverages natural killer (NK) cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

A phase 1 clinical trial, published on Jan. 9 in The Lancet, evaluated the safety of this therapy, called FT596, in 86 patients with hard-to-treat B-cell lymphomas. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis co-led the study, which involved nine U.S. clinical sites. Patients enrolled had already undergone an average of four prior therapies, including FDA-approved CAR-T cell treatments for 33 participants, yet their cancers had relapsed or persisted.

Unlike CAR-T cells, which must be individually harvested, modified, and expanded for each patient in a labor-intensive process, CAR-NK cells are created from healthy donor stem cells and manufactured in large quantities. This off-the-shelf design eliminates delays, variability, and the logistical challenges associated with traditional CAR-T therapies, offering a faster and potentially more cost-effective solution.

The trial's results were promising. Patients tolerated even the highest doses, with manageable side effects such as low-grade cytokine release syndrome and no neurotoxicity, a common complication of CAR-T cell therapy. Among patients with follicular lymphoma, 85% achieved complete remission, with responses lasting an average of 17 months. Furthermore, nearly half of patients who had relapsed after CAR-T therapy responded to the CAR-NK treatment, with 30% achieving complete remission.

Lead researcher Dr. Armin Ghobadi emphasized the advantages of CAR-NK therapy, including reduced toxicity and broader accessibility. “FT596 represents a significant improvement in treatment options for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma,” he noted.

As the safety and efficacy of CAR-NK cells become increasingly evident, researchers envision broader applications, including solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. With its scalable manufacturing process and reduced toxicity, this therapy could redefine the landscape of cancer immunotherapy, offering new hope to patients worldwide.

(Newswise/DN)