CAR T-cell therapy in ALL: trial updates, novel approaches, & real-world outcomes

CAR T-cell therapy has become an established treatment for several hematological malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and has significantly changed the therapeutic landscape for patients. In this podcast episode, renowned experts will share insight into the use of CAR-T in ALL, including updates of pivotal trials, novel approaches being explored, and real-world outcomes. First, you will hear from Valentín Ortiz-Maldonado, MD, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, who shares the results of the pivotal CART19-BE-02 trial (NCT04778579), a multicenter study investigating varnimcabtagene autoleucel (var-cel) in adult patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell ALL (B-ALL). Following this, Pere Barba, MD, PhD, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, and Jae Park, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, provide valuable insight into findings from the FELIX trial (NCT04404660), the results of which led to the FDA approval of obecabtagene autoleucel (obe-cel) for adult patients with R/R B-ALL in November 2024. Next, Ibrahim Muhsen, MD, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, shares the findings of a retrospective analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) in older patients with R/R B-ALL. Finally, you will hear some updates of trials assessing novel CAR-T approaches in ALL from Armin Ghobadi, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, and Evandro Bezerra, MD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH.