CAR-NK Cells Make Their Debut in Hematologic Cancers with Promising results

[Jm954]

In this study, 11 patients with CD19-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma received the modified cells, known as chimeric antigen receptor-NK (CAR-NK) cells.

Seven of the patients experienced complete remission, while in 1 other patient, treatment reduced the aggressiveness of their disease. The responses occurred within 30 days, and treatment was well tolerated. Administration of CAR-NK cells did not lead to cytokine release syndrome, an inflammatory response commonly seen after CAR-T cell therapy.

In the current phase 1/2 trial, Dr Rezvani and her team created CAR-NK cells from banked cord blood cells.

None of the 11 patients developed the CRS or neurotoxicity that have been observed in patients administered CAR-T cells, and they the researchers never reached the maximum tolerated dose. No increase in inflammatory cytokine levels was observed.

A drawback of NK cells is they are short-lived and don’t proliferate inside the body. To overcome that, Dr Rezvani engineered the cells to produce a growth factor, IL-15, prolonging the cells’ persistence. As a precaution against uncontrolled growth, the researchers also included a “safety switch” by which they could shut down the cells by administering a small-molecule drug for reversal, if need be. “We never had to use that safety switch in any of our patients,” said Dr Rezvani. “None of the patients developed any toxicity, and none developed any uncontrollable growth of these NK cells.”

According to the paper, the engineered NK cells persisted in the patients for at least 12 months, an observation that Dr Campana called “puzzling,” because allogeneic cells typically are rejected within 2 weeks of infusion.

It's worth special notice that one patient had started with Richter transformation, and after treatment with CAR-NK cells, the high-grade lymphoma went into remission, but the CLL persisted, and the patient was treated with chemotherapy.

More here: cancertherapyadvisor.com/ho...

Jackie

[cartwheels]

This is very encouraging and I understand it this treatment is much cheaper then car-t and with no major complications as with often the case with car-t less scary for the patient

Some good news to replace all the virus doom thanks for the share Jackie 👍

[Ernest2]

Thanks Jackie for that

Interesting the idea of combining CAR-T and CAR-NK.

The results are a bit confusing in this small trial with other therapies also used, so the next larger trial will be interesting.

Great that the researchers are still developing new areas for CLLers.

Best wishes,

Ernest

[BluMts]

Thanks Jackie. Really interesting and hope larger trials ahead soon.