CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for relapsed or refractory B cell lymphomas, particularly aggressive large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Current evidence up to 2025 shows that roughly 50–80% of appropriately selected patients respond, and about 30–40% achieve long-term remission or “functional cure,” depending on the CAR T product, lymphoma subtype, and line of therapy.
CAR T success rates for lymphoma in 2025
Most clinical data relate to CD19-directed CAR T-cell products (for example, axicabtagene ciloleucel, lisocabtagene maraleucel, and tisagenlecleucel) in patients whose lymphoma has returned or not responded after standard chemoimmunotherapy. Across pivotal trials, real world cohorts, and long term follow up reports, the following ranges capture the 2025 landscape for aggressive B cell lymphomas:
- Overall response rate (ORR): In many large B cell lymphoma series, about 60–80% of treated patients have a measurable response.
- Complete responses (CR): Roughly 40–60% achieve complete remission in key trials and registries, with some high risk subgroups showing slightly lower rates.
- Durable remission / progression free survival (PFS): A substantial proportion of patients who achieve a complete response remain progression free at 2 years and beyond; 2–5 year PFS rates around 30–40% and overall survival around 40–50% are reported in long term follow up of axicabtagene ciloleucel and similar products.
In some specific subtypes and settings, results can be even stronger. For example, selected real world and trial data in transformed follicular lymphoma or marginal zone lymphoma cohorts show ORR above 80–90% and CR rates above 60%, with many patients maintaining responses beyond 1–2 years. For a general audience, this can be summarized as: in 2025, about half to two thirds of eligible lymphoma patients respond to CAR T, and around one third achieve long term, potentially curative remission.
Why success rates vary between patients
Even with the same product, not every patient experiences the same benefit. Key factors influencing CAR T-cell success in lymphoma include:
Disease biology and timing of therapy
Patients treated earlier—such as those receiving CAR T as second line therapy after failing first line chemoimmunotherapy—tend to have better long term outcomes than those treated after multiple relapses. Very aggressive biology (for example double hit/high grade B cell lymphoma, early primary refractory disease, or Richter transformation) can reduce durability of remission even when the initial response looks promising.
Tumor burden and performance status
High tumor burden, bulky disease, or poor general condition at infusion are associated with both higher toxicity risk and lower chance of long lasting benefit. Patients who are fitter and have better disease control at the time of CAR T (sometimes achieved with bridging therapy) are more likely to enjoy durable remissions.
Type of CAR T product and protocol
Different CD19 CAR T products use distinct constructs and manufacturing methods, leading to variations in response depth, speed of response, and toxicity. Long term analyses of axicabtagene ciloleucel and lisocabtagene maraleucel, for example, show durable 5 year responses in a meaningful subset of patients, while ongoing studies continue to refine selection, dosing, and sequencing with other treatments.
Center experience and supportive care
CAR T should be delivered in experienced centers that can rapidly recognize and treat cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, infections, and late complications. High volume centers with structured follow up pathways help reduce complications and support patients in maintaining their remission over the long term.
Publication date: December 2025
Sources:
CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphoma
Real-World (RW) Outcomes of Lisocabtagene Maraleucel (liso-cel) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
CD19 CAR-T cell therapy for Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma; Why does it Fail?
Five-Year Follow-Up of Standard-of-Care Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Bristol Myers Squibb Presents First Data from the Marginal Zone Lymphoma Cohort
CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell lymphoma
Real-world outcomes of CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in relapsed/refractory transformed indolent lymphomas
Links
Initiating your CAR-T medical inquiry >>
CAR-T testimonials
