Mechanisms underlying CD19-positive ALL relapse after anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy and associated strategies
Yuru Nie, Weiqing Lu, Daiyu Chen, Huilin Tu, Zhenling Guo, Xuan Zhou, Meifang Li, Sanfang Tu, Yuhua Li
Abstract
Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, especially anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy, has shown remarkable anticancer activity in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, demonstrating an inspiring complete remission rate. However, with extension of the follow-up period, the limitations of this therapy have gradually emerged. Patients are at a high risk of early relapse after achieving complete remission. Although there are many studies with a primary focus on the mechanisms underlying CD19 - relapse related to immune escape, early CD19 + relapse owing to poor in vivo persistence and impaired efficacy accounts for a larger proportion of the high relapse rate. However, the mechanisms underlying CD19 + relapse are still poorly understood. Herein, we discuss factors that could become obstacles to improved persistence and efficacy of CAR T cells during production, preinfusion processing, and in vivo interactions in detail. Furthermore, we propose potential strategies to overcome these barriers to achieve a reduced CD19 + relapse rate and produce prolonged survival in patients after CAR T cell therapy.