Latest ALL Research Updates at ASH 2025: CART19, Venetoclax, and huCART19

The 2025 American Society of Hematology’s Annual Meeting is currently underway in Orlando, Florida, from December 6th to 9th. Researchers from around the world have come together to present the latest data on new and existing blood cancer treatments. Below, you will find some of the latest ALL research presented during the first two days of the conference. 

CD19 CAR T-cell therapy is an effective strategy for first CNS relapse in pediatric B-ALL

In pediatric B-ALL, relapse often occurs in the bone marrow but sometimes it can occur in the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. The standard treatment for CNS relapse includes chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation. These treatments all can cause serious side effects.  

A phase 2 study evaluated outcomes among 42 patients who received CART 19 (CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy). At the time of evaluation, event-free survival was 85%.  In the trial, 88% of participants who received infusion were able to avoid cranial radiation. Cranial radiation is radiation therapy to the brain. It is part of the standard of care treatment for CNS relapse. But it can cause significant long-term neurological effects in children.  

Read the abstract: CD19 CAR T cell therapy is an effective strategy for first CNS relapse in pediatric b ALL 

Venetoclax plus inotuzumab ozogamicin for relapsed and refractory ALL: Results of a phase I trial

Inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO), also known as BESPONSA (Pfizer), is an FDA-approved medication used to treat relapsed or refractory B-ALL  in adults. InO is an antibody-drug conjugate that works by delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.  

Read about research on optimal InO dosage. Venetoclax (Venclexta, AbbVie), is a targeted therapy known as a BCL-2 inhibitor. It works by blocking the function of the protein that helps cancer cells to survive. Venetoclax is currently FDA-approved for use in CLL and AML.  

A study presented at the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting evaluated outcomes among patients with ALL who received both VEN and INO. Results showed that patients who received both therapies had durable MRD negativity after complete remission. This means that there were no detectable cancer cells in the bone marrow or blood for a sustained timeframe. 

 Read the abstract:  Venetoclax plus inotuzumab ozogamicin for relapsed and refractory ALL: Results of a phase I trial 

Humanized CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for high-risk and post-CAR relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Although CD19 CAR-T (CART19) therapy has led to many improvements across the treatment landscape, not all patients who relapse are eligible for it. When standard therapies are not effective or cancer returns, healthcare providers consider other treatment regimens called salvage therapies. 

A recent study found that when treated with the salvage therapy humanized CAR-T (huCART19) 48/48 participants reached MRD negativity and 43/48 achieved complete remission (CR). A complete remission means there are no remaining signs of cancer.  

This research shows that using HuCART19 as a salvage therapy can be an effective treatment strategy in high-risk relapsed B-ALL.  

Read the abstract: Humanized CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for high-risk and postCAR relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia 

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