Do not flock towards CAR-T therapy, experts say

With the emergence of immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cell (CAR-T) technology has been developing rapidly and has become one of the most popular therapies; however medical experts have warned that only relapsed or refractory patients who are are enrolled in clinical trials can benefit at the moment.

Though scientific and technological progress is encouraging, research into CAR-T therapy is still in its infancy and patients should not “flock” when choosing treatment, experts told a forum organized by the Jiahui International Cancer Center and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Shanghai.

CAR-T therapy is a cellular immunotherapy that uses human immune cells to clear cancer cells.

Chinese and American researchers are playing a leading role in the global stage of CAR-T research.

Chinese researchers have more than 100 projects in CAR-T therapy, surpassing those of the United States. Until now, there are a total of 54 CAR-T trials in the field of myeloma worldwide, with 26 in the United States and 24 in China.

CS Chan, director of Jiahui International Cancer Center, said patients must first learn to distinguish between "approved" and "investigational" therapies. Internationally, CAR-T therapy is currently approved only for indications including lymphoma and leukemia. Its breakthroughs in other diseases are exciting, but they are still "investigational" therapies.

CAR-T is a type of cellular therapy, not a drug. The inflammatory side effect caused by CAR-T therapy may lead to physical changes including fever, hypotension, hypoxemia and some severe neurotoxicity may even cause cognitive impairment. 

It is important to monitor and identify these side effects, apply early medical intervention and conduct long-term follow-ups based on sufficient experience. These can affect or even change the efficacy of CAR-T therapy, experts said.

Ti Gong