Relapsed/refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is challenging to treat. Outcome for such patients is dismal. A recent experimental treatment – using CD7 CAR T-cell therapy, developed by N2CR member Prof Dario Campana and the compassionate clinical use led by N2CR member Prof Allen Yeoh, were tested on 17 patients with relapsed or refractory T-ALL. Of these, 16 achieved complete remission within a month with acceptable toxicities. Eleven patients remained relapse-free after a median follow-up of 15 months. The first patient has been in remission for 55 months without needing further treatment. This breakthrough therapy offers potent anti-leukemic effects and may be a promising treatment option for relapsed/refractory T-ALL. This is being tested in the CARTALL study in NUHS.

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