Reprogrammed T Cells Effective for Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Malignancies

Dramatic progress has been made recently in generating and deploying redirected T cells for patients with refractory B-cell malignancies (JW Oncol Hematol Sep 13 2011). Now, investigators have transduced autologous T cells with a retroviral vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor that targets the B-cell surface antigen CD19 and the T-cell activating molecule CD28. The modified T cells were expanded ex vivo and reinfused in eight patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after a short course of chemotherapy (fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide). Patients received interleukin (IL)-2 after T-cell infusion to enhance in vivo expansion.

Of four patients with CLL, one achieved complete remission, …