Study Identifies Biomarker That Signals Better Response to CAR T-Cell Therapy

Research published in Nature Medicine identified specific biomarkers that lead to better response in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who are receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Patients with CD8 and CD27 expression and the absence of CD45RO are more likely to achieve a complete or partial response. The study authors said this understanding may help with selecting patients who are mostly likely to benefit from CAR T-cell therapy.

The study included 41 patients with advanced, high-risk CLL who were heavily pretreated and received at least one dose of CD19-directed CAR T cells. Patients with a sustained remission had an elevated frequency of CD27+CD45RO– CD8+ T cells before CAR T-cell generation.

Source: Nature Medicine