Unveiling Hope: Chinese CAR-T Cell Therapy Illuminating New Paths in Liver Cancer Treatment!

2020, over 19.3 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide, leading to almost 10 million fatalities. In China alone, the number of new cancer patients reached a staggering 4.57 million, accounting for 23.7% globally. Liver cancer, among the most prevalent malignant tumors in China, witnessed 410,000 new cases and 380,000 deaths, making up 45.3% and 47.1% of the global total, respectively [1]. However, since the 21st century began, significant strides have been made in liver cancer treatments, particularly in medication and localized therapies. Surgical procedures are no longer the sole option for long-term survival among liver cancer patients.

Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising techniques for treating liver cancer, especially with advancements in tumor molecular biology. In 2013, “Science” magazine categorized immunotherapy as the fourth major cancer treatment, following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, with cell therapy becoming a focal point of basic and clinical research in recent years.

In May 2020, Professor Zhai Bo’s team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine’s Renji Hospital, in collaboration with Shanghai Sci-Tech Biotechnology’s team led by Li Zonghai, published groundbreaking preliminary clinical research data on CAR-T cell therapy targeting the GPC3 gene for hepatocellular carcinoma in the “Clinical Cancer Research” journal. This breakthrough study brought unprecedented hope for CAR-T cell therapy in liver cancer treatment.

Even more inspiring, their publication in the “Cancer Communications” journal showcased follow-up results of two late-stage liver cancer patients who achieved long-term tumor-free survival after receiving CAR-T cell combined with local therapy [2]. These findings shed new light on the treatment prospects for liver cancer patients.

However, despite the potential therapeutic effects of liver cancer CAR-T cell therapy, it faces challenges and obstacles. Liver cancer’s heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, and the safety of cell therapy remain crucial issues to address.

Presently, revolutionary changes are underway in the treatment models and concepts for liver cancer. However, integrating CAR-T cell therapy into actual liver cancer treatment requires further scientific exploration and clinical research. Researchers emphasize that only through comprehensive utilization of CAR-T cells in conjunction with other treatment modalities can its therapeutic potential be fully realized.

Professor Zhai Bo’s team is currently conducting various fundamental and clinical studies aimed at exploring additional possibilities for CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors. These studies include phase I clinical research on EpCAM CAR-T cell combined with ablative therapy for gastrointestinal tumors, phase II clinical research on Claudin18.2 CAR-T cell therapy for gastrointestinal tumors, studies on the mechanism and prevention of OTOT toxicity, among others. These endeavors will provide more experimental data and support for the application of CAR-T cells in the treatment of solid tumors.

In conclusion, liver cancer CAR-T cell therapy signifies a significant breakthrough in the field of liver cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients. Despite the challenges to overcome, the outlook for this therapy is promising and holds the potential to bring a blessing to more patients in the future.

[References]

Zhaibo, Lizonghai etc.

“Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Glypican-3 T-Cell Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results of Phase 1 Trials.” 《Clinical Cancer Research》, 2020.

“Combined local therapy and CAR-GPC3 T-cell therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a proof-of-concept treatment strategy.” 《Cancer Communications》, 2023.

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11 months ago CAR-T , Leukemia

The new hope for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) boasts an overall survival rate of up to 96%.

The new hope for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) boasts an overall survival rate of up to 96%.

    Recently, CAR-T cell therapy targeting B-cell malignancies has encountered a series of inquiries and challenges, particularly concerning discussions on CAR-T cell-related toxicity, resistance, antigen escape, and limitations in persistence. However, a groundbreaking concept addressing relapse in patients after CAR-T cell therapy has been introduced for the first time: a sequential approach involving distinct targeted CAR-T cell therapies.

    Within this approach, CD19 CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated the ability to achieve complete remission in 60% to 90% of relapsed or refractory acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia patients. By experimenting with different combinations and sequential administration strategies of B-cell antigen-targeted CAR-T cell therapies, there’s potential to prevent tumor antigen escape and prolong the persistence of CAR-T cells.

    Preliminary clinical trials have provided initial support for this concept, notably a phase II clinical trial aimed at assessing the efficacy of sequential CD19 and CD22 CAR-T cell therapy. Its findings revealed a 79% event-free survival rate, an 80% sustained remission rate, and an impressive 96% overall survival rate among patients receiving targeted doses in sequential therapy. Encouragingly, the overall safety of this sequential therapy appeared manageable, providing long-term survival benefits for children with relapsed or refractory acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.

However, the limitations of antigen escape and limited persistence after CAR-T cell therapy persist. Addressing these challenges, researchers have proposed the hypothesis of sequential administration of CAR-T cell products targeting different antigens, aiming to maintain the persistence of CAR-T cells.

    The results of this phase II clinical trial indicate that administering CD22 CAR-T cell therapy following CD19 CAR-T cell infusion can result in longer-lasting remission effects for pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, achieving an 80% sustained remission rate over 18 months and an impressive 96% overall survival rate. Importantly, the overall safety of this sequential therapy is uplifting, providing long-term survival benefits for this specific patient population.

    In summary, this study presents groundbreaking evidence for new strategies and directions in CAR-T cell therapy. Despite existing limitations, this therapy demonstrates significant potential in treating uncontrollable acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, potentially offering more enduring treatment effects and long-term survival benefits for these patients. This achievement points towards a viable path for the future development of cell therapies.

    This Phase 2 trial, conducted at Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital in China, enrolled pediatric patients aged 1–18 years diagnosed with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) showing CD19 and CD22 positivity exceeding 95%.

#CARTTherapy #PediatricCancer #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #SequentialTherapy #ChildhoodCancer #HopeForPatients #MedicalBreakthrough #LeukemiaTreatment #LongTermSurvival #PrecisionMedicine #ClinicalTrials #Gobroad #Boren #HealthcareInnovation #CancerFree #ScienceAndMedicine