- 91% (20 of 22) of the pediatric patients in a Phase 1 study evaluating Juno Therapeutics' (JUNO +3.1%) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) product candidate, JCAR017, had a complete remission of their relapsed/refractory acute CD19-positive lymphoblastic leukemia. The data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
- Juno Scientific Co-Founder Michael Jensen, M.D., says, "The 91% remission rate in this Phase 1 study of JCAR017 is highly encouraging, particularly when considering these pediatric patients failed to respond to standard treatments. Based on these results we are eager to advance this study and to continue advancing the use of cell therapies to change how we treat cancer and provide patients the opportunity for better treatment options."
- The CAR-T experience has its challenges, however. Severe cytokine release syndrome and/or severe neurotoxicity was observed in eight patients in addition to four relapses (only one that was CD19-positive).