
ViroCell and UCL launch trial to treat childhood leukaemia relapse
Ella Day | April 24, 2025 | News story | Research and Development | Oncology, UCL, ViroCell, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, cell therapy, clinical trial, leukaemia
ViroCell Biologics has manufactured a GMP-grade lentiviral vector for a University College London (UCL) clinical trial aimed at tackling relapse in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a common childhood cancer.
Led by professor Persis Amrolia, a pioneer in CAR T-cell therapy at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), the trial intends to improve outcomes for children whose disease returns after initial treatment.
More effective CAR T-cell products are needed as respective therapies targeting CD19 cure only around 40% of relapsed cases. This is due to treatment resistance or disease evolution. Amrolia’s innovative approach preserves stem cell memory T-cells and targets both CD19 and CD22 to reduce relapse risk.
The phase 1 CARPALL cohort 4 trial, which started enrolling patients in March, is supported by ViroCell’s high-yield vector manufacturing. Those with relapsed/refractory ALL and under the age of 18 have been invited to take part.
Amrolia praised ViroCell, commenting: “I am delighted with the speed, efficiency, quality and high yield of lentiviral vector they have produced for our relapsed ALL programme.”
Farzin Farzaneh, chief scientific officer of ViroCell, added: “We’re honoured to help bring next-generation CAR T-cells to paediatric patients with relapsed ALL.”
Ella Day
24/4/25
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