CAR-T Cell Therapy in Europe 2026

Insights from the EBMT–EHA Annual CAR-T Conference

The EBMT–EHA 8th European CAR T-Cell Meeting was held February 12–14, 2026, in Palma de Mallorca. The conference brought together leading hematologists, researchers, and industry experts from Europe and around the world to discuss the rapid evolution of CAR-T therapy across Europe and beyond.

Currently, CAR-T therapy is an established treatment option for several blood cancers, including lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. Throughout the conference, experts reviewed updated clinical data and long-term outcomes in these diseases, while also presenting new directions for expanding the technology into additional indications.

Our representative, Tanya Preminger, attended the meeting to stay updated on the latest clinical developments and emerging treatment directions in the field.

The central theme of the conference was the “revolution” underway as CAR-T therapy expands beyond traditional hematology into new therapeutic frontiers.

New Indications Beyond Blood Cancers

One of the most discussed topics was the expansion of CAR-T therapy into areas that were previously considered experimental:

Autoimmune Diseases: Recent clinical data demonstrated encouraging results in severe autoimmune conditions. Experts described this as a potential turning point for the technology.
Solid Tumors: Early trials targeting solid tumors were presented, focusing on strategies to overcome the challenges of the tumor microenvironment (TME).

CAR-T in Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Leukemia

Significant updates were presented regarding CAR-T therapy for:

Lymphoma: Ongoing refinements in patient selection, earlier-line treatment strategies, and long-term remission durability.
Multiple Myeloma: Advancements in dual-targeting approaches aimed at reducing relapse related to antigen escape.
Leukemia: Continued progress in both adult and pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with data supporting durable responses in relapsed or refractory cases.

Next-Generation CAR-T Engineering

Several sessions highlighted innovations designed to improve efficacy and durability:

Bicistronic CARs: Updates were shared from a Phase I trial evaluating CD19/CD22 bicistronic CAR-T cells in pediatric and young adult patients with B-ALL.
In Vivo CAR-T: Researchers discussed the possibility of generating CAR-T cells directly within the patient’s body, potentially bypassing the complex and costly laboratory manufacturing process.
Dual Targeting Strategies: Ongoing research in diseases such as multiple myeloma aims to reduce relapse caused by antigen escape.

Overcoming Practical and Clinical Challenges

Speakers emphasized that translating innovation from “concept to reality” remains complex. Key discussions focused on:

Manufacturing and Delivery: Efforts to reduce production costs and improve logistical efficiency.
Toxicity Management: Updated protocols for managing cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS).
Real-World Data Collection: Initiatives such as the T2EVOLVE and GoCART coalitions are working to harmonize European data reporting and better track long-term patient outcomes.