Chinese Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Solid Tumor Therapy with Novel Autocrine PD-1 Antibody-Equipped CAR-T Cell Combination, Extending Patient Survival to 17 Months

Shanghai, Feb. 20 (CNS) – With the development of CAR-T cell therapy, hematologic malignancies are no longer an insurmountable challenge. Whether CAR-T cell therapy can effectively treat solid tumors has become a topic of significant interest.

On the 20th, reporters learned that the latest findings from Shanghai Cell Therapy Group, in collaboration with Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital and Mengchao Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University, were published online in the prestigious international academic journal Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. Clinical treatment data obtained by Chinese scholars demonstrated that CAR-T cells can not only target and kill tumor cells but also carry multiple antibodies, thereby modifying the tumor microenvironment and activating pre-existing immune cells in the body to jointly combat tumors. The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer is a publication under the BMJ (British Medical Journal) group.

Thus, CAR-T cells (i.e., Baize T cells) have evolved from merely killing tumor cells to a dual function of “tumor cell killing + inducing local anti-tumor immune responses,” thereby exerting a more effective and durable anti-tumor effect. This signifies that Baize T technology has completed its advanced technological reserves and is now venturing into deeper realms of solid tumor therapy. It is reported that the concept of Baize T technology was introduced in 2010, and after 12 years of dedicated research, scientists have now focused their efforts on tackling solid tumors.

According to reports, in this cutting-edge exploration, Professor Qian Qijun’s research team from Shanghai Cell Therapy Group and Professor Xu Qing’s clinical team from Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital jointly investigated the use of autocrine PD-1 antibodies combined with CAR-T cell therapy for treating patients with advanced refractory ovarian cancer, achieving significant results. The patient experienced a progression-free survival of 5 months and an overall survival of 17 months.

Professor Qian Qijun told reporters that CAR-T cell therapy had previously significantly reduced the harm caused by hematologic malignancies. Currently, various CAR-T cell therapies can achieve a 100% initial remission rate in the treatment of hematologic malignancies; even if the tumor recurs, retreatment with CAR-T cell therapy may again be effective. However, most patients suffer from solid tumors, where the challenges lie in identifying suitable targets and overcoming the suppression of CAR-T cells by the tumor microenvironment.

Qian Qijun further explained to reporters that in immunotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors cannot precisely target tumor sites, which may lead to various systemic side effects and limited efficacy as monotherapy. In patients with advanced ovarian cancer receiving combination therapy, the infused CAR-T cells successfully “mobilized” the body’s immune cells to “encircle and suppress” tumor cells, thereby achieving therapeutic efficacy.

Professor Qian Qijun told reporters that in previous treatments, researchers found that although certain immune combinations could enhance therapeutic efficacy, they also exacerbated side effects. In this particular case, the patient experienced only mild adverse effects, such as Grade 1 hypertension and fatigue.

It is reported that China has become one of the countries with the largest volume of clinical trial data on CAR-T cell therapy worldwide. Qian Qijun believes that, with advancements in anti-tumor technologies, cancer patients in China will receive better treatment, enjoy longer survival periods, and achieve a higher quality of life. (End)