Introduction to Dual-Target CAR T Cell Therapy
A groundbreaking approach using dual-target CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated potential in slowing the progression of a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. This innovative treatment has led to tumor reduction in nearly two-thirds of patients, offering hope in a field where traditional therapies have often fallen short.
Promising Results from Clinical Trials
The therapy’s promising results were unveiled at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting and published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine. Researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania spearheaded this study, which builds on previous findings from a Phase I clinical trial.
Understanding Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and lethal brain cancer in adults, with average survival rates ranging from 12 to 18 months post-diagnosis. Despite aggressive treatments, recurrence is almost inevitable, with median survival for recurrent GBM typically between six to ten months.
Innovative Approach to Treatment
CAR T cell therapy is a form of personalized immunotherapy that harnesses a patient’s immune cells to combat cancer. While it has been successful in treating blood cancers, its efficacy against solid tumors like brain cancer has been limited. The dual-target CAR T cell therapy developed at Penn targets two proteins commonly found in brain tumors: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13Rα2). This therapy is administered via injection into the cerebrospinal fluid.
Clinical Trial Insights
The study involved 18 patients with recurrent GBM who underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by the infusion of the dual-target CAR T cell therapy. Tumor reduction was observed in eight out of 13 patients (62%) who had at least 1cm of tumor remaining post-surgery. Although tumors regrew in most patients within one to three months, the therapy showed encouraging signs of efficacy.
Long-Term Immune Response
Researchers discovered that the therapy persists in the immune system, potentially preventing tumor growth over time. In one case, a patient who underwent surgery again due to tumor regrowth showed positive effects of the treatment in the removed tissue, including T cell infiltration and tumor clearance by macrophages. Similar immune responses were observed in spinal fluid samples from other patients, with one patient retaining detectable CAR T cells a year after treatment.
Future Directions and Safety
The study’s final cohort will explore the effects of administering multiple doses of the CAR T cell therapy to determine if it prolongs the period before tumor regrowth. The therapy was deemed safe, with manageable neurotoxicity observed in 56% of patients. These findings have paved the way for future clinical trials, including those targeting newly diagnosed GBM patients.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The dual-target CAR T cell therapy represents a significant advancement in the treatment of glioblastoma. By moving quickly to test this therapy in newly diagnosed patients, researchers hope to exploit the cancer’s vulnerability and improve patient outcomes. The study’s promising results offer a template for refining the treatment to achieve even better results in the future.
🔗 **Fuente:** https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-dual-car-cell-therapy-growth.html