Use of specific T-cells in the treatment of ALL

This study looked at the use of specific T-cells to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers found that using these cells was effective in the treatment of these patients.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer of the bone marrow. This can lead to abnormal cells in the immune system. It is often treated with medication, but sometimes this stops working. T-cells are an important cell of the immune system. They can be changed in the laboratory to attack cancer and other abnormal cells. This treatment is called chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It is important to research if this treatment is safe and effective in patients with ALL.

20 patients with ALL were given CAR T-cell treatment. Six patients had been treated with blinatumomab (Blincyto) previously. 10 patients had received a stem cell transplant previously. 8 patients had ALL that had spread to other areas of the body. Patients were followed-up for a minimum of 3 months after treatment.

16 (80%) treated patients had a response to the T-cells. Of these, 90% had reduced signs of cancer after treatment. 73% of patients survived for 1-year after treatment without any signs of disease. Overall survival rate was 90% after T-cell therapy. 11 patients had nerve damage after treatment. 16 patients developed an immune reaction to treatment.

The study concluded that using CAR T-cell therapy was a safe and effective way to treat ALL.

This study included a very small sample size and a short follow-up period. Larger studies are needed.