title: CAR T-cells merge into the fast lane of cancer care.
abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can be introduced into T-cells redirecting them to target specific tumor antigens. CAR-modified T cells targeting CD19 have shown remarkable activity against CD19+ malignancies including B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Complete remission rates as high as 90% have been observed for patients with relapsed and refractory ALL and greater than 50% response rates have been seen in heavily pre-treated CLL and NHL. Excitingly, some remissions have been durable without any additional therapy, a finding which correlates with in-vivo T-cell persistence and B-cell aplasia. The major treatment related toxicities include B-cell aplasia, neurologic toxicities, and a potentially severe cytokine release syndrome. This review summarizes outcomes for patients treated with CD19-CAR T-cells while exploring the field's challenges and future directions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, PCAM 2 West Pavilion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104.
authors.forename: Noelle V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, PCAM 2 West Pavilion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000276:immunology*; D002678:Chimera; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell