About the CART 19 Study

CAR T CELL TRIALS AT PENN INCLUDING GENE MODIFIED T CELL THERAPY FOR CLL CART 19 CELLS TO TREAT CLL » ABOUT THE CART 19 STUDY

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Thank you for your interest in our cancer research at the Translational Research Programs at the University of Pennsylvania and the Clinical Cell and Vaccine Production Facility at the University of Pennsylvania.

Recently we have published our preliminary experience in the New England Journal of Medicine and Science Translational Medicine. These publications describe the outcomes of the first 3 patients treated on a clinical trial using autologous T cells genetically modified with a "chimeric antigen receptor" (or CAR) targeting a CD19 molecule on CLL cells.

How the Study Works

Autologous T cells are immune cells taken from a patient's own blood stream. These cells are then modified to express an antibody on their surface that will recognize and bind to a protein called CD19.
This CD19 protein is on most B-cell CLL cells and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cells.
These modified T cells are then grown (expanded) in the laboratory and given back to patients in an attempt to treat their leukemia.
When the patient's own T-cells recognize and bind to the CLL cell, they have the ability to become activated and kill the leukemia cell.

Initial Results

Our initial results are unique for several reasons. While we have only treated a small number of patients, we have been able to show:

That a patient's modified T-cells can survive for many months after administration, and have the ability to grow in the body in large quantities.
And they have been able to kill large quantities of CLL cells in all 3 patients treated.

We are very hopeful about this as future effective therapy for patients with CLL and NHL.

Important Considerations

It is important to note that this therapy is very early in testing. At the time of our publications and media coverage, this clinical trial has enrolled 3 patients with B-cell CLL. The clinical trial is currently on hold and not immediately enrolling additional patients. As it reopens in the, only very few patients will be able to be treated. We regret not being able to offer this therapy to larger numbers of people but believe testing of such a new approach to cancer treatment must be methodical and meticulous.

You can obtain more information about our trial here.