Making CAR-T Cells inside the body? inMMyCAR Trial Insights | Natalie Callander, MD

My name is Natalie Callandar, and I'm from the University of Wisconsin.

One of the most exciting presentations here at ASH, something that merited what we call a late-breaking abstract status, is a whole new concept that's emerging: what are called in-vivo CAR-T processes.

Now, in vitro means made in the lab; in vivo means made in the body.

This technique is evolving, and in this case, a study was presented on three—actually four—patients.

They received a novel approach where they got an injection of a virus that carries the genetic information to alter the T cells in their body to become essentially CAR-Ts.

The beauty of this is that you don't actually get any chemotherapy along with it. The injection just occurs.

So there’s none of what’s called lymphodepleting chemotherapy, which is currently a standard part of CAR-T therapy.

They were able to show in these individuals that this technique did, in fact, produce these CAR-T cells and that they appeared to be active.

All four patients had a response, which very much mirrors what you get with both experimental and commercial CAR-Ts that are manufactured outside the body and infused back in.

There are a lot of very exciting studies underway in myeloma trying to use this kind of technique.

This study is called inMMyCAR.

But there are others using not just direct virus injections, but also nanoparticles to help introduce this genetic material to the person’s own T cells.

This is very exciting work, and we’re hoping to hear more about it.

If our videos have helped you in any way and you’re able to, please consider making a donation to help us continue this important work.

Your gift will go three times as far when we reach $500,000 by the end of the year.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference, and we're deeply grateful for your support.