Lu Daopei Hospital's Low-Dose CD19 CAR-T Therapy Shows Promising Results in B-ALL Patients

In a groundbreaking study conducted at Lu Daopei Hospital, researchers have reported significant advancements in the treatment of refractory or relapsed B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) using a low-dose CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy. The study, which involved 51 patients, revealed that this innovative approach not only achieved high complete remission (CR) rates but also maintained a favorable safety profile.

The research team, led by Dr. C. Tong from the Department of Hematology and Dr. A.H. Chang from the Clinical Translational Research Center at Tongji University School of Medicine, investigated the effects of administering a lower dose of CAR-T cells—approximately 1 × 10^5/kg—compared to the conventional higher doses. This approach aimed to balance therapeutic efficacy with the reduction of severe side effects, particularly cytokine release syndrome (CRS).

The study's results were compelling. Among the 42 refractory/relapsed B-ALL patients, 36 achieved CR or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi), while all nine patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) reached MRD negativity. Furthermore, most patients experienced only mild to moderate CRS, with severe cases being effectively managed through early intervention strategies.

Dr. Tong highlighted the importance of this study, stating, "The results indicate that low-dose CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT), provides a highly effective treatment option for patients who have limited alternatives. This therapy not only offers high response rates but also significantly lowers the risk of severe adverse effects."

The success of this study underscores the potential of tailored CAR-T cell therapies in treating complex hematological malignancies. Lu Daopei Hospital, renowned for its pioneering work in cellular immunotherapy, continues to lead in providing cutting-edge treatments for patients with challenging hematologic conditions.

As the study progresses, the research team is optimistic about further refining the dosage and protocols to enhance patient outcomes. The findings from this study have been published in the journal Leukemia and provide a hopeful outlook for B-ALL patients worldwide.