Second-Generation Chimeric Antigen Receptors Successfully Modify Hematopoietic Stem Cells For Immunotherapy Of B-Lineage Malignancies

Patients with refractory or recurrent B-lineage hematological malignancies have less than 50% of chance of cure, despite intensive therapy. Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) successfully engineer antigen specificity in immune cells, with clinical trials currently being conducted using ex vivo expanded gene-modified mature T cells. Results from preclinical studies and clinical trials show that effector cells usually have transient in vivo persistence that could significantly limit clinical efficacy and allow tumor recurrence.