Juno Therapeutics’ CAR T Cell Product Candidate JCAR017 Continues to Demonstrate Encouraging Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Relapsed/Refractory CD19 Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

On April 21, 2015 Juno Therapeutics reported encouraging clinical responses in a Phase 1 study evaluating JCAR017 in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (Press release, Juno, APR 21, 2015, View Source [SID:1234503099]). The results of this trial to date demonstrated that 91% of patients achieved a complete remission as documented by flow cytometry. Adverse events were consistent with what has been previously reported. JCAR017 is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell product candidate subject to a licensing arrangement with Seattle Children’s Research Institute. The results were presented in an oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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"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," said Michael Jensen, M.D., Scientific Co-Founder, Juno Therapeutics, and Director of the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute. "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."

Data from the ongoing, open-label, Phase 1 dose escalation study were presented by Dr. Jensen at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) today. The study is evaluating escalating doses of JCAR017 in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory CD19 positive ALL. JCAR017, a defined cell product candidate, was successfully manufactured for all enrolled patients. The study was designed and conducted by Seattle Children’s Research Institute with patients from Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

In an intent-to-treat analysis, a complete remission documented by flow cytometry in 20 of 22 patients (91%) was measured. The complete remissions were observed at all doses evaluated in patients with prior CD19-directed therapy as well as in patients with infantile ALL. Severe cytokine release syndrome and/or severe neurotoxicity was observed in 8 patients. Four relapses have been observed to date, only one of which had CD19 positive disease.