Out of the remaining five patients, one experienced a partial response and four a very good response, researchers said.
However, about 85 percent of the patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially dangerous side effect of CAR T-cell therapy.
Symptoms of cytokine release syndrome can include fever, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and impaired organ function, the researchers said. However, most of the patients experienced only transient symptoms, and “now we have drugs to treat it,” Lichtenfeld said.
History suggests the therapy will cost a lot if it receives approval, Lichtenfeld said. However, prior to approval, much more research will be needed, he added.
The Chinese research team plans to enroll a total of 100 patients in this clinical trial at four hospitals in China. They also plan a similar clinical trial in the United States by 2018, Zhao said.
The study was funded by Nanjing Legend Biotech Co., the Chinese firm developing the technology.
The findings were presented Monday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, in Chicago. Data and conclusions presented at meetings are usually considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
More information
For more on multiple myeloma, visit the American Cancer Society.
SOURCES: Len Lichtenfeld, M.D., deputy chief medical officer, American Cancer Society; Wanhong Zhao, M.D., Ph.D., associate director, hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China; Michael Sabel, M.D., chief, surgical oncology, University of Michigan; June 5, 2017, presentation, American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, Chicago
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