Dr. Ansell on Combining CAR T-cell Therapy and Immunotherapy in Lymphomas

Stephen M. Ansell, MD, PhD, chair of the Lymphoma Group at Mayo Clinic, discusses the possibility of blending immunotherapy agents with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy across lymphoma populations.

A therapeutic approach like this is definitely an option in lymphomas, Ansell explains. CAR T cells are highly effective therapies and are very promising; however, the significant activation often results in exhaustion. An important component might be to reverse exhaustion or prevent it, which can be done with immune checkpoint therapies.

The challenge, however, is to balance that with the potential toxicities, he adds. Researchers will learn how to manage combinations, Ansell predicts, adding he sees this having great promise in the future.