CAR T-Cell Therapy for Leukemia and Lymphoma

Project Title:

Project Description

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking living therapy, in which a patient’s own T cells (a type of immune cell) are collected through apheresis, engineered in the laboratory to recognize and destroy cancer cells or disease-causing cells, and then reinfused into the patient. Once inside the body, these CAR T-cells expand and act as a powerful immune defense.

VinUni and Vinmec have successfully conducted Vietnam’s first – and only – clinical trial using in-house produced CAR T-cells to treat 16 patients with hematological cancers. Building on this achievement, this Phase I clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-dose anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory CD19+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Significance

CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment worldwide. VinUni and Vinmec’s pioneering work demonstrates that advanced therapies can be developed and delivered in resource-limited regions at a fraction of international costs. This project continues that mission by accelerating access to cutting-edge treatments for patients in Vietnam.

Goals

To advance CAR T-cell therapy for leukemia and lymphoma in Vietnam, we aim to:

1. Assess the frequency and severity of adverse events and serious adverse events (AEs/SAEs).
2. Evaluate treatment response following CD19 CAR T-cell infusion, including:
   • Proportion of patients achieving complete or partial response.
   • Progression-free survival (PFS) after infusion.
   • Event-free survival (EFS) after infusion.

Innovation

1. A novel therapeutic approach specifically targeting leukemia and lymphoma in a resource-limited region.
2. In-house CAR T-cell production in Vietnam, reducing costs to approximately 20% of comparable U.S. commercial products.
3. Potential expansion of CAR T-cell applications to other diseases, including autoimmune disorders.