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Cell therapies have evolved significantly over recent years, becoming a crucial component in the treatment landscape for patients suffering from blood and lymphatic cancers. However, their effectiveness in treating solid tumors—like those found in the skin, lungs, or sarcomas—has yet to be firmly established. Previous attempts have resulted in minimal tumor reduction and have often led to pronounced side effects. Now, an international research team spearheaded by the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC) in Dresden has made a notable breakthrough in a phase 1 clinical trial, exploring a novel cell therapy that shows promise for solid tumors. The findings were recently published in the journal Nature Medicine.
This phase 1 trial included 40 participants and focused on the application of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. The researchers employed advanced genetic engineering methods to enable these T cells to detect tumor-specific proteins. The innovative IMA203 therapy targets the PRAME peptide, which is predominantly produced by tumors rather than healthy cells. This specificity allows the engineered T cells to attack cancerous cells directly, minimizing harm to normal tissue. PRAME expression is prominent in various cancers, including melanoma, ovarian cancer, sarcomas, and lung cancer.
Remarkably, over half of the patients who had previously not responded to standard treatments exhibited a positive response to this new therapy. Many of these patients maintained their positive responses for durations ranging from eight months to several years, marking a significant advancement compared to the typical three to six-month duration of chemotherapy. Additionally, the cell therapy was generally well tolerated, with side effects such as fever and skin rash being mostly mild to moderate and temporary.
Prof. Martin Wermke, the lead investigator of the trial, stated, “Based on these results, we can speak of a breakthrough. For the first time, we have achieved a lasting response in truly common solid tumors. The efficacy of IMA203 goes far beyond what we can achieve with our current chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. Not only do we have significantly more patients responding to treatment, but the effects also last considerably longer. We have patients who have remained tumor-free over two years after receiving IMA203, and some may even be permanently cured of their cancer.”
Looking ahead, the next phase for IMA203 includes plans for larger trials aimed at patients with melanoma who have not responded to traditional immune and targeted therapies. The NCT/UCC Dresden is also exploring other cell therapies tailored for different types of skin and lung cancers.
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