At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2024 conference, NeoImmuneTech, Inc., a pioneer in T-cell-based immunotherapy, presented encouraging interim results from a Phase 1b clinical trial. This trial explores the combination of CAR-T cell therapy with NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa), a long-acting human interleukin-7, in patients with Large B-cell Lymphoma. CAR-T therapies often face challenges with cell expansion and persistence, but NT-I7 has shown promising results in enhancing these aspects without significant side effects.
The trial's findings reveal that NT-I7 can be safely administered 21 days following CAR-T infusion, with observed side effects being minor and manageable. Importantly, this combination has not only proved safe but also effective, with a significant increase in CAR-T cell expansion and persistence. These enhancements have led to an impressive overall response rate of 81.1%, with most patients achieving complete or partial remission—a notable improvement compared to existing therapies.
NT-I7 works by increasing the diversity and memory of T-cells, making it a potential game-changer in the treatment of hematological malignancies. The company plans to further develop this therapy, aiming to integrate it with other CAR-T technologies. This approach could potentially reduce the number of CAR-T cells needed for effective treatment, simplifying the process and minimizing common severe side effects associated with current therapies. These promising results could lead to better management of Large B-cell Lymphoma, potentially improving outcomes for patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapies.
