Drs. Manoj Lalu and Dean FergussonCAR-T therapy, which uses a patient’s own genetically modified immune cells, is one of the most exciting advances in cancer treatment. After seeing striking results in young patients with end-stage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), CAR-T researchers are now expanding into other kinds of cancer and optimizing their techniques. To get a big picture view of the field, Drs. Manoj Lalu and Dean Fergusson led a team that analyzed data from nearly 1,000 patients who participated in 60 different CAR-T trials. They found that CD19 CAR-T therapy eliminated all signs of cancer in almost 80 percent of patients with ALL. Looking at blood cancers overall, the complete response rate was approximately 50 percent. The team also found, contrary to some expectations, that there was no link between major immune side effects and complete response, suggesting that it may be possible to get even better responses without increasing side effects. This study is part of a made-in-Canada CAR-T research program that will include a unique clinical trial led by Dr. Natasha Kekre.
Authors: Grigor EJM, Fergusson D, Kekre N, Montroy J, Atkins H, Seftel MD, Daugaard M, Presseau J, Thavorn K, Hutton B, Holt RA, Lalu MM.
Journal: Transfusion Medicine Reviews
Core resources: Ottawa Methods Centre, The Ottawa Hospital Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre
Funding: Organizations such as BioCanRx, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Ontario have supported The Ottawa Hospital’s CAR-T research program and the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre, but additional funding is essential to make this program a reality. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is raising money for cancer research like this, that is revolutionizing the care we provide patients.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
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Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73325
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jganton@ohri.ca
