Overview

• The Phase I trial of huCART19-IL18 demonstrated tumor reduction in 81% of heavily pretreated B-cell lymphoma patients, with 52% achieving complete remission and some remissions lasting over two years.
• The therapy incorporates interleukin 18 (IL18), a cytokine that enhances immune response by activating additional immune components and improving CAR T cell persistence and potency.
• No new safety concerns were observed; side effects like cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity remained manageable within standard protocols.
• A novel three-day manufacturing process, developed at Penn, significantly shortens the production timeline compared to the conventional nine- to fourteen-day process, offering faster treatment initiation for aggressive cancers.
• Follow-up trials are underway for acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with potential applications being explored for solid tumors.