CAR-T Cells - The Next Era in Immuno-Oncology
In the six short years since FDA approval of the first therapy of the modern era, immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies have garnered FDA approvals in six tumor types, received indications for adjuvant, first-line metastatic and salvage disease, and been combined for dual I-O therapy.
In the next 12-18 months, I-O therapies are likely to receive an additional five tumor type approvals. Key opinion leaders believe that I-O therapies may replace chemotherapy as the backbone of modern cancer treatment. Stakeholder adoption of I-O therapies is no longer a question of “IF” but a question of “When.”
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are the next frontier in this rapidly growing field. Early clinical trials demonstrate that CAR-T cells produce rapid, complete and durable responses in highly refractory patients, making this therapy a potential game-changer. However, the complexity of CAR-T synthesis and delivery, the need for wrap-around services, timing for approval and the potential reimbursement challenges may impact CAR-T’s potential for commercial success.
In this article, originally published in the American Journal of Managed Care, experts from Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions discuss the efficacy and toxicity of CAR-T from early clinical trial results and evaluate the potential commercial success for this therapy.