Celgene, the Japanese subsidiary of Celgene Inc., started Phase II of JCAR 017 (lisocabtagene maraleucel, liso-cel), a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CART) therapy targeting CD 19. JCAR 017 is a self-administered CART therapy developed by Juno Therapeutics, USA. CD4 positive and CD8 positive T cells are isolated from peripheral blood of patients and activated. A CAR gene that recognizes CD 19 is then introduced into a lentiviral vector, used to transform CD4 positive and CD8 positive T cells in a 1: 1 ratio. 4-1BB is used as a costimulatory molecule of the CAR gene. Phase II clinical trial (NCT 03484702) of JCAR 017 is now conducted in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients at multiple institutions in Europe and Japan. JCAR 017 may be designated as a regenerative medical product for rare diseases.
Nikkei Biotech news release, August 22, 2018