Immunotherapy with CD19-specific CAR-T cells has shown excellent efficacy in late-stage relapsed/refractory B-cell cancers. In-vivo expansion and persistence of CAR-T cells after infusion are important response and toxicity determining variables, but diagnostic tools are largely missing.
Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is characterised by excellent sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. Dr Fehse and his team have cloned and sequenced complete cDNAs of both vector constructs. They have designed different combinations of primers and dual-labelled hydrolysis probes and tested them on CAR-T cells, post-infusion samples, and controls in duplex reactions with reference genes.
They have developed and applied novel ddPCR assays for monitoring of Axi-cel and Tisa-cel CAR-T cells in vivo.
In this webinar, Dr Fehse talks us through his research about how ddPCR is excellently suited as a diagnostic tool to monitor infused cells in real-time in different body fluids.
Dr Boris Fehse,
Head of Research Cell and Gene Therapy University Clinical Hospital Hamburg
Graduating from the University of Hamburg, Dr Fehse has progressed his scientific career within Cell and Gene Therapy as Head of Research in the university. He has held many executive positions including President of the German Society of Gene Therapy and is a scientific reviewer for multiple journals.