The private operator is the first hospital in the UK to treat multiple myeloma patients with CAR-T cell therapy.
The Royal Marsden Private Care is the first in the UK to treat multiple myeloma patients with CAR-T cell therapy, outside of clinical trials.
Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) is a type of CAR-T cell therapy developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma – an incurable but treatable blood cancer – that does not respond to treatment, or relapses quickly after treatment.
This personalised treatment is generally offered when other therapies have failed or are no longer effective. Clinical trial results have shown that CAR-T cell therapy can achieve better long-term responses than existing treatment options, offering renewed hope for patients with relapsed or difficult to treat myeloma.
“While many myeloma patients respond well to targeted drugs and stem cell transplants initially, relapse is common. The therapy has demonstrated superior long-term outcomes for those who have exhausted other options, giving patients a chance at sustained remission,” said Emma Nicholson, consultant haematologist at The Royal Marsden.
Cancer of the plasma cells
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infection by producing antibodies. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells produce ineffective antibodies, weakening the immune system and increasing vulnerability to infections. While this cancer cannot currently be cured, treatments can effectively control symptoms, extend remission periods, and improve patients’ quality of life.
CAR-T cell therapy is an innovative immunotherapy that modifies a patient’s own T cells to better recognise and destroy cancer cells. The process begins with collecting T cells from the patient, which are then genetically engineered in a specialised laboratory to produce receptors that target specific proteins on cancer cells, such as the BCMA protein in multiple myeloma. These enhanced T cells are expanded in number and infused back into the patient, where they seek and destroy the cancer cells.
The therapy is primarily used for blood cancers because it targets specific proteins found on cancerous immune cells. However, research is ongoing to expand its use to other cancers, including certain solid tumours.
As Healthcare Today reported in early June, only three out of ten people in Europe and two out of ten people in the US with certain rare, advanced blood cancers receive access to CAR T-cell therapy. An international coalition has launched CAR T Vision to unite stakeholders around the shared ambition that every eligible patient should have the opportunity for a cure with CAR T-cell therapy. By 2030, the aim is to double the proportion of eligible patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy.
