Expanding the Use of CAR T Therapy With shRNA

Celyad Oncology is targeting cancers with a number of allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies. Their lead program, CYAD-211, is currently being evaluated in the phase 1 IMMUNICY trial (NCT04613557).

Celyad presented positive interim data at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2021 Congress in June 2021 from IMMUNICY that showed dose-dependent engraftment up to dose level 3 of 300 x 106 cells per infusion. 

The company reported that no graft-versus-host disease, dose-limiting toxicities, or CAR T-cell related encephalopathy syndromes have occurred to date. A partial response was seen in 2 of the 5 evaluable patients. CYAD-211 cells were detected by polymerase chain reaction-based methods in all 6 patients with evidence of a dose-dependent increase in cell engraftment.

GeneTherapyLive spoke with Filippo Petti, chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and Charles Morris, MBBS, chief medical officer, Celyad Oncology, about the company's future plans and upcoming research. They also discussed potential future opportunities for their short hairpin RNA platform.

REFERENCE

Celyad Oncology presents updates on allogeneic CAR T clinical candidates and shRNA-based preclinical concepts at research & development day. News release. Celyad Oncology. July 20, 2021. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210720005854/en/Celyad-Oncology-Presents-Updates-on-Allogeneic-CAR-T-Clinical-Candidates-and-shRNA-based-Preclinical-Concepts-at-Research-Development-Day