Follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is typically slow-growing and often treated as a chronic condition. However, some patients experience a more aggressive form, requiring multiple treatments with progressively shorter remission periods.
CAR T-cell therapy, a groundbreaking treatment that reprograms a patient's immune cells to target cancer, has shown promising results for these aggressive cases.
A recent clinical trial published in Nature Medicine evaluated the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy in 130 relapsed follicular lymphoma patients across North America, Europe, and Japan. The study found that 95 patients responded to the therapy, with 92 achieving cancer remission. Impressively, 81% of participants remained in remission one year after treatment.
Although side effects were common, including inflammatory reactions and neurological symptoms, the overall response rates were unprecedented. Researchers are now focusing on identifying patient populations who could benefit most from CAR T-cell therapy, potentially even as a frontline treatment for those with high-risk features. This innovative approach offers new hope for patients with aggressive follicular lymphoma, promising longer remission periods and improved outcomes.
Source: The Asco Post
