Allogene leaps on allogeneic CAR-T therapy success

Shares of US clinical-stage biotech Allogene Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ALLO) rocketed 41% to $1.99 on Friday, as it announced the publication of data from its Phase I ALPHA and ALPHA2 clinical studies of cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The California-based drug developer noted that the study underscores the significant progress in the use of allogeneic (“off-the-shelf”) CAR T cell therapy, with findings showing a 100% complete response rate in late-stage LBCL patients with low tumor burden (6/6). These findings not only demonstrate CAR T’s ability to improve outcomes for critically ill patients but also highlight even greater potential when introduced earlier in the disease.

In June 2024, Allogene launched the ground-breaking ALPHA3 trial, which explores the use of cema-cel in newly diagnosed LBCL patients as part of first line therapy. What sets this trial apart is its potential to predict and prevent disease relapse through minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, with a single consolidation dose of cema-cel offering a chance for long-term remission – and potentially a cure. This innovative approach could be a game-changer for the 30% of patients who typically relapse after standard first-line treatment, Allogene believes.