Blog

Aug 17, 2023

Gilead's CAR

By Adam Feuerstein June 5, 2023 CHICAGO — Yescarta, the CAR-T therapy made by

By Adam Feuerstein June 5, 2023

CHICAGO — Yescarta, the CAR-T therapy made by the Kite unit of Gilead Sciences, prolonged the lives of patients with large B-cell lymphoma by 27% compared to standard treatment in a long-running clinical trial, researchers reported Monday.

Proving a meaningful survival benefit for patients with a type of blood cancer represents another milestone for CAR-T therapy, which involves extracting white blood cells from a patient and genetically modifying them to attack cancer. Yescarta is the first CAR-T to do it in randomized study, which could help Gilead grow sales and extend its lead over competing cell therapies.

advertisement

For nearly 30 years, chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant have been the standard treatments for people with large B-cell lymphoma that returns after initial, or first-line, treatment. But only about half of patients are eligible for this so-called second-line approach, and 20% are cured.

Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!

Senior Writer, Biotech

Adam Feuerstein is STAT's national biotech columnist, reporting on the intersection of biotech and Wall Street. He's also a co-host of "The Readout LOUD" podcast.

ASCO23

biotechnology

cancer

STAT+

This name will appear with your comment

There was an error saving your display name. Please check and try again.