Recent results are available from the dose escalation portion of the Phase 1 ANTLER study. In reporting from Targeted Oncology, Jordyn Sava shares that the study included 16 participants living with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Participants were treated with CB-010, a CRISPR-edited allogeneic anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. As described by Caribou Biosciences, the drug’s developer, CB-010 is:

the first allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy, to our knowledge, in a clinical trial with a PD-1 knockout, a genome-editing strategy designed to improve antitumor activity by limiting premature CAR T-cell exhaustion.

During the trial, participants were given three separate doses of CB-010. Following just one CB-010 administration, 94% of participants responded to the treatment in some way. 69% of participants had a complete response, which means that they had no signs of cancer at the time of evaluation. Many patients also had a durable and long-lasting response.

CB-010 was safe and well-tolerated. However, some side effects have occurred. These include:

• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts)
• Neutropenia (low neutrophil counts)
• Anemia (low red blood cell counts) 
• Cytokine release syndrome
• Various infections
• Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity

Because the findings were promising, researchers plan to conduct further studies. The next portion of this trial will focus on dose expansion; an estimated 30 participants will enroll. Through this, researchers will also identify what dose of CB-010 will be utilized in Phase 2 studies. More data from the second portion of the ANTLER study will be available next year. 

About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma refers to cancer that originates in lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the lymphatic system. There are multiple NHL subtypes, including mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Some of these diverse blood cancers are slow-growing, while others progress quickly. If you have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, speak with your care team about the specifics of your subtype. 

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not known. However, doctors and researchers have identified risk factors. These include older age, infections like HIV or Epstein-Barr virus, being male, being older in age, being Caucasian, having a weakened immune system, or having certain autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of NHL vary from type to type. Potential symptoms can include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, groin, or neck
• Unintentional weight loss 
• Chronic cough
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent fatigue
• Fever and night sweats
• Recurrent infections
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Feeling of fullness