With the broad application of CAR-T therapy in B-cell malignancies, its exploration in T-cell malignancies—such as relapsed/refractory acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r T-ALL) and T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL)—is also progressing. Among these efforts, CD7-targeted CAR-T cell therapy is considered one of the most promising directions.

Recently, the internationally renowned hematology journal Blood published the Phase II clinical study results of donor-derived CD7 CAR-T therapy for pediatric and adult patients with r/r T-ALL/LBL. This multi-institutional study was conducted by Beijing GoBroad Hospital, the State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, the National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Shanghai YaKe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., with Dr. Jing Pan and Dr. Xiaoming Feng as co-corresponding authors.

Previously, this collaborative team presented preliminary Phase I results as an oral presentation at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, which was selected as a Highlight Abstract. The related findings were subsequently published in J Clin Oncol (Pan et al., J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(30):3340-3351) and J Hematol Oncol (Pan et al., J Hematol Oncol. 2023;16(1):34), receiving broad attention and high recognition in the field.

To further interpret the core findings and future directions of this Phase II study, we interviewed co-corresponding author Dr. Jing Pan from Beijing GoBroad Hospital for an in-depth discussion on the latest progress and clinical implications of donor-derived CD7 CAR-T therapy.

 

Upgraded Study Design: From Early Validation to Evidence Advancement

 

Q1: We noticed changes in the Phase II clinical design compared to Phase I, such as the primary endpoint. Could you share the objectives of this Phase II study and key updates in its design?

Dr. Pan: This Phase II study is a continuation and expansion of our earlier Phase I research. While Phase I focused on safety evaluation, Phase II shifted its emphasis to efficacy—particularly the real-world clinical benefits of donor-derived CD7 CAR-T therapy for r/r T-ALL/LBL patients.

Originally, the primary endpoint was set as overall response rate (ORR). However, during the trial, we observed that some patients with bulky extramedullary disease required more time to achieve antitumor effects. Certain patients did not reach CR at one month but subsequently achieved deep remission, especially those bridging to allo-HSCT. Using a single time-point ORR as the metric could not fully capture this dynamic.

Therefore, we adjusted the primary endpoint to “best overall response (BOR) within 3 months post-infusion.” This was not a simple statistical modification but a reflection of real-world therapeutic dynamics and clinical decision-making in donor CAR-T treatment. Although the adjustment faced challenges during manuscript submission, we insisted on keeping it because it truly reflects clinical reality.

Overall, this Phase II study not only expanded the sample size and strengthened evidence-based support but also realistically showcased the therapeutic value of donor-derived CD7 CAR-T in r/r T-ALL/LBL, laying a solid foundation for transitioning this strategy from “exploratory phase” to “optimization phase.”

 

Expanded Inclusion: Tackling the Challenge of Complex Lesions

 

Q2: Compared to Phase I, this Phase II trial significantly increased the proportion of patients with extramedullary disease—a population traditionally thought to respond poorly to CAR-T therapy. Why did you make this choice, and what insights does it provide?

Dr. Pan: We were relatively conservative about including patients with extramedullary disease in Phase I. However, in Phase II, we deliberately expanded to include such cases, particularly those with bulky mediastinal masses or multiple extramedullary lesions. This decision was driven by real-world clinical needs—if CAR-T therapy cannot address complex cases, its practical value will be limited.

Our findings indicated that patients with mediastinal masses ≥7 cm had poorer prognoses and that CAR-T alone was insufficient for rapid tumor clearance. Based on this, we have introduced a “CAR-T plus localized radiotherapy” approach, which has shown encouraging preliminary results.

I believe we must directly confront the heterogeneity of T-cell tumors seen in real practice. If CAR-T alone is inadequate, we should actively explore additional interventions.

 

Efficacy and Risks: The Real-World Profile of CAR-T

 

Q3: Overall, how would you assess the main findings of this Phase II study in terms of efficacy and safety? Were there any observations you consider internationally significant?

Dr. Pan: Donor-derived CD7 CAR-T demonstrated strong early efficacy—89% of patients achieved partial remission or better (BOR) within 3 months, consistent with Phase I results.

Key observations include:

1. Infection risk beyond 30 days post-infusion: Some patients developed severe infections after remission due to T-cell functional defects. In response, we introduced CD7-KO lymphocyte infusion to accelerate immune recovery and reduce infection risk.
2. Bulky mediastinal disease as a therapeutic bottleneck: CAR-T alone was insufficient, reinforcing the need for combined modalities such as radiotherapy.
3. Non-relapse mortality due to immune imbalance: Some patients died from immune dysregulation despite effective CAR-T and successful transplant. Achieving controllable CAR-T activity—“switchable CAR-T”—remains an unmet need.

 

Immune Ecosystem Modulation: A Post-CAR-T “Second Line of Defense”

 

Q4: You have initiated CD7-KO lymphocyte infusion as an adjunct to CAR-T therapy. Can you share insights from this research and whether such approaches may become mainstream in the future?

Dr. Pan: CD7-KO lymphocyte infusion is used during delayed immune reconstitution after CAR-T, typically around day 30, when infection risk remains high. These cells persist for a median of 15–21 days, outperforming traditional DLI and showing benefit in viral infection control, including COVID-19–related encephalitis.

However, I consider this a transitional strategy. In the future, next-generation CAR-T products with controllable “on-off switches” may replace such interventions. Our research team is working toward this direction.

 

Future Directions: Safer, More Controllable, and Smarter CAR-T

 

Q5: As one of the leading global experts in CD7 CAR-T research, what do you see as the key breakthroughs needed for this therapy to truly benefit T-cell malignancy patients?

Dr. Pan: The top priority is safety. While cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity are largely manageable, cytotoxicity—especially prolonged myelosuppression—remains a central issue. Enhancing CAR-T safety is critical.

Equally important is achieving intelligent control. We need CAR-T products with genuine switch mechanisms—able to deactivate in high-infection-risk scenarios and reactivate when relapse risk rises. With ongoing integration of basic and clinical research, I believe substantial breakthroughs in safety, controllability, and functional optimization will make CAR-T a durable treatment option for T-cell malignancy patients.