Investigators report outcomes and longer follow up from pilot study treating 14 pts with relapsed, refractory CLL with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR)

Pts with relapsed or persistent disease and progressed at least within 2 years; received lymphodepleting chemotherapy ending 3-5 days before T cell infusion

6 pts developed fevers within 24 hrs of infusion #1 (3) or #2 (3)

CR: 21%; PR: 36%; overall major response rate: 57%

All responding pts developed delayed cytokine release syndrome (CRS), with 5 patients requiring intervention

Persistence of CTL019 cells detected by flow cytometry in all 6 pts with ongoing responses 5-35 months after infusion

All patients had sustained B cell aplasia without any unusual infectious complications.

CTL019 therapy associated with significant CRS that responds rapidly to anti-cytokine treatment

CTL019 cells can induce potent and sustained responses (8/14) for patients with advanced, relapsed and refractory CLL regardless of p53 mutation status.