CAR T-cell Therapy for Blood Cancer

Researchers are studying CAR T-cell therapy in clinical trials for people with certain blood cancers

CAR T-cell therapy is a personalized treatment approach that involves collecting a participant's T cells, modifying them in a laboratory, and infusing them back into the participant after preparative chemotherapy. Clinical studies are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of this approach and its potential role in treating blood cancers. The treatment process is generally administered as a single CAR T-cell infusion as part of the overall treatment procedure.

Featured trials

STATUS Recruiting

Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: KT-US-740-0603

This trial compares an investigational therapy, KITE-753, against an existing CAR T-cell therapy (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for adults with large B-cell lymphoma. It is designed for patients whose cancer has returned or not responded after their initial treatment.

STATUS Recruiting

Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma: KT-US-499-0150 (PALISADES-1)

This clinical study is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of two different investigational CAR T-cell therapies (KITE-363 or KITE-753) for adults with B-cell lymphoma. It is designed for patients whose cancer has returned or has not responded to previous treatments.

Find other Kite clinical trials

Why CAR T therapy for blood cancers?

Your immune system’s T cells are naturally designed to protect you from illness. But blood cancer cells are skilled at hiding from the immune system, allowing them to grow and multiply unchecked.

CAR T therapy is often described as a “living drug.” Unlike traditional medicines that work for a short time and then clear out of your body, CAR T therapy uses living immune cells. To do this, a patient’s own T cells are collected and modified with special receptors. These receptors are designed to help the T cells recognize and target cancer cells so they can seek them out and destroy them. Because these cells are living, how long they stay in your body and continue working can vary from person to person.

Kite is currently studying CAR T therapies in clinical trials for blood cancers that have returned or stopped responding to traditional treatments. Our goal is to understand whether this personalized cell therapy can provide a more durable, long-term response with manageable safety when other treatments have failed.

How CAR T therapy differs from traditional treatments

If you've been treated for blood cancer before, you may have received therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or a stem cell transplant, to help manage it. CAR T therapy works differently in several important ways:

One-time* treatment:
Administered as a single, one-time infusion

Targeted therapy: Designed to specifically recognize and target cells displaying certain markers

Uses your own cells: Collects your T cells and modifies them to help destroy cancer cells

*The CAR T treatment process consists of collecting your T cells, reprogramming them in a lab, preparing
your body with chemotherapy, infusing your new cells, and monitoring your recovery.

Blood cancers currently being researched by Kite

Blood cancer types in Kite clinical trials

Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
High-risk large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL)
Follicular lymphoma (FL)
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM)

Shared challenges, targeted solutions

Even though these blood cancers are different, they often share a common trait:

abnormal cells that grow out of control and carry specific proteins we can target.

Different blood cancers often have a specific marker, or protein, that sits on the surface of the cancer cells. The therapies studied in Kite clinical trials target these markers to help modified CAR T cells locate and destroy the cancer.

Our current blood cancer clinical trials focus on these primary markers:

CD19 and CD20: Markers found mostly on B cells, which are a type of white blood cell. When these cells grow abnormally, they can lead to leukemias and lymphomas.
BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen): A protein marker found almost entirely on plasma cells, which are immune cells, and multiple myeloma cells. Because this marker is rarely found on other healthy tissues or vital organs, it acts as a precise target for multiple myeloma treatments, making it a key focus of our research.

What to expect during a Kite CAR T therapy clinical trial

Participating in a Kite CAR T clinical trial is a structured process designed to put your safety and well-being first. The typical patient timeline includes:

STEP 1

Informed consent

You will meet with the study team to go over how the trial works, what to expect, and any questions you have. After reviewing this information, you can decide if joining is the right choice for you.

STEP 2

Screening

Before joining a trial, you'll undergo tests and evaluations to determine whether the study is a good fit for you.

STEP 3

Collecting your T cells

This is usually an outpatient visit where your T cells are collected (a process called leukapheresis).

STEP 4

Creating your CAR T therapy

The period during which your T cells are modified and made into your personalized CAR T cells.

STEP 5

Preparatory chemo

A 3-day regimen to prepare your body to receive your new, modified CAR T cells.

STEP 6

One-time* CAR T-cell infusion

The day your personalized CAR T cells are returned to your bloodstream.

*The CAR T treatment process consists of collecting your T cells, reprogramming them in a lab, preparing your body with chemotherapy, infusing your new cells, and monitoring your recovery.

STEP 7

Monitoring period

An important follow-up phase where your care team closely watches how your body responds to the therapy.

The option for outpatient care

CAR T therapy may be administered in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. Your care team will determine the most appropriate setting based on the specific clinical trial and your individual needs.

Do I need a care partner for CAR T therapy?

Patients will need a care partner during CAR T therapy. Because the monitoring period post infusion is so important, you will need continuous care for several weeks—though this doesn't have to be just one person. Many patients build a 'care team' of different family members, friends, or loved ones who take turns helping out so the responsibility is shared.

Your care partner(s) will be responsible for helping you:

Watch for specific side effects
Manage your medications
Provide transportation to follow-up appointments
Oversee your daily recovery

The exact time frame and requirements vary by clinical trial, so talk with your clinical team early on. If you do not have a care partner(s), your clinical team can help identify resources and discuss available support options.

Financial and travel support offered

We understand that participating in a clinical trial can involve additional travel, planning, and expenses for both patients and care partners. To help reduce some of these challenges, Kite clinical trials may offer support services and reimbursement for certain trial-related expenses for eligible participants and care partners.

Types of support

Airfare

Hotel

Meals

Transportation

Parking

Tolls

Mileage rate

Program limits, rules, and eligibility can vary based on your specific clinical trial and geographic location. Your dedicated trial coordinator will walk you through these options during your screening.

How to participate in a Kite clinical trial

Patients cannot enroll in these clinical trials directly. You must be referred to a participating trial center by your primary oncologist or hematologist. If you are interested in exploring a Kite clinical trial, ask your doctor if a Kite clinical trial is right for you.

Connecting with resources and communities

We believe that care extends beyond clinical trials, which is why we collaborate with leading national and global organizations focused on blood cancer education, research, and patient support. These groups provide trusted information, community resources, peer-to-peer connections, and financial programs designed to support patients and care partners throughout every stage of their journey.