Cancer-fighting CAR T Cells and Their Impact on Hard-to-treat Tumors

Overview

• CAR T cells: Engineered immune cells designed to target and eliminate cancer cells.
• Significant findings in a phase II clinical trial in China.
• Focus on solid tumors, which traditionally show poor response to CAR T-cell therapy.

Clinical Trial Details

• Location: China
• Type of Cancer: Advanced gastric cancer and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.
• Phase: II
• Participants: 156, aged 18-75, with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.

CAR T-Cell Therapy

• CAR T-Cell Creation:
  • T cells are extracted from a patient.
  • Modified to produce proteins targeting cancer cells.
  • Re-infused into the patient.
• Target Molecule: CLDN18.2 (expressed in gastrointestinal tumors).

Results

• Treatment Used: Satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel)
  • Given up to 3 times to 88 participants.
  • Additional regimen to remove non-specific immune cells.
• Control Group: 52 participants received standard therapies (e.g., nivolumab, paclitaxel, rivoceranib).
• Key Outcomes:
  • 35% response rate in satri-cel group vs. 4% in control.
  • Average survival was 2.4 months longer in satri-cel group.
  • 31% lower mortality risk.

Implications

• First evidence of CAR T-cell therapy success in solid tumors.
• Potential for optimizing CAR T cells for broader cancer treatment applications.
• Significant breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for tumors that are challenging to treat with existing methods.

Conclusion

• The study highlights the potential of engineered immune cells in treating solid tumors.
• Encourages further research and optimization of CAR T-cell therapies for future clinical applications.