Dr. Abramson Discusses Lisocabtagene Maraleucel in NHL

Jeremy S. Abramson, MD, clinical director, Center for Lymphoma, Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses lisocabtagene maraleucel (JCAR017; liso-cel) as a treatment for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

The TRANSCEND trial is currently evaluating the CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy liso-cel in patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This CAR T-cell therapy is showing promising response rates in this population. Abramson says that when the product is collected, the CD4 and CD8 cells are separated and then are separately transduced and expanded. They are then administered back to patients in a 1:1 ratio. This results in a fixed precise dose of CD4 and CD8 CAR-positive T cells administered to every patient.

Findings presented at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting showed a complete response rate of 46% (95% CI, 30%-63%) at 6 months, as well as an ongoing objective response rate of 49% (95% CI, 32%-66%). At the time of report, the median overall survival (OS) had not been reached among patients who achieved a CR at the pivotal dose, but the 12-month OS rate in these patients was 89% (95% CI, 72%-96%).