Gilead’s (NASDAQ: GILD) subsidiary Kite has published groundbreaking Phase III results for Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a CAR-T therapy, in the treatment of relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL). The study applauds Yescarta as the first treatment in 30 years to significantly improve survival in this indication. Compared to the multi-step historical standard of care (SOC) that includes chemoimmunotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy, and stem cell transplant, a one-time treatment with Yescarta reduced the risk of death by 27.4% after a 4-year median follow-up. It did not reach median overall survival (OS) versus 31.1 months with SOC, increased 48-month OS estimates from 46.0% to 54.6%, and improved progression-free survival (PFS) from 24.4% to 41.8%.
Janssen’s Carvykti CAR-T Therapy Shows Positive Results in Multiple Myeloma Trial
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J; NYSE: JNJ) unit Janssen released less impactful results from a late-stage trial in relapsed and lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (MM) for its CAR-T Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), co-developed with Legend Biotech (NASDAQ: LEGN). Relying on the less stringent measure of PFS, the company reported that Carvykti reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 74% compared to SOC, did not reach median PFS compared to 11.8 months with SOC, and increased 12-month PFS from 49% to 76%.-Fineline Info & Tech
