CAR T Cell therapy for gastric cancer
The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting introduced an important new cancer treatment: Satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel), a CAR T-cell therapy that targets Claudin18.2, showing strong effectiveness in treating advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. This marks a pivotal moment in the application of CAR T-cell therapies beyond hematologic malignancies to solid tumors.
Clinical Trial Highlights
In a large study in China, 156 patients with advanced gastric or GEJ cancer that tested positive for Claudin18.2 and had not responded to at least two previous treatments were included. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, with two receiving satri-cel for every one who received a treatment selected by their doctor, which could include drugs like paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan, apatinib, or nivolumab.
Key Findings:
Progression-Free Survival (PFS): Patients treated with satri-cel experienced a median PFS of 3.3 months compared to 1.8 months in the TPC group, nearly doubling the duration before disease progression.
Overall Survival (OS): The median OS was 7.9 months for the satri-cel group versus 5.5 months for those receiving TPC, indicating a meaningful extension in survival.
Objective Response Rate (ORR): Satri-cel achieved an ORR of 22%, significantly higher than the 4% observed in the TPC group.
Safety Profile: The therapy was associated with a manageable safety profile, with adverse events consistent with expectations for CAR T-cell therapies.
These results, published in The Lancet and shared at ASCO 2025, are the first from a randomized controlled trial showing that CAR T-cell therapy can work in solid tumors, an area where these treatments have often struggled.
Satri-Cel CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Groundbreaking Results in Gastric Cancer at ASCO 2025
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting was a significant event for gastric cancer treatment, as Carsgen Therapeutics revealed impressive new findings from its important trial of Satri-Cel (CT041), a CAR T-cell therapy that targets Claudin18.2. The results shared in The Lancet Oncology and presented at ASCO 2025 indicate a major change in how we treat advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancers.
Nearly Double the Progression-Free Survival
In the ongoing CT041 trial, Satri-Cel almost doubled the time patients with previously treated G/GEJ cancers lived without their disease getting worse. Median PFS reached 5.6 months versus 2.9 months seen in traditional therapy arms, while median overall survival (OS) was 12.8 months—a substantial improvement for patients who had limited options.
The objective response rate (ORR) was 57.1%, with complete responses seen in several patients. The safety profile remained manageable, with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) being the most common adverse event, mostly low-grade and reversible.
Claudin 18.2: A Validated Target for Gastric Cancers
Satri-Cel focuses on Claudin18.2, a protein found in the connections between cells that is present in as many as 70% of gastric cancers. This target has proven extremely difficult to address with traditional therapies, making the positive clinical results all the more remarkable.
China’s Leadership in CAR T Innovation
China continues to lead the global charge in CAR T-cell innovation, particularly for solid tumors like gastric and pancreatic cancers. Carsgen Therapeutics, headquartered in Shanghai, has been at the forefront of Claudin18.2 research, with over 10 active trials underway targeting various cancers, including gastric, pancreatic, and other GI malignancies.
The country’s biotech ecosystem—fueled by regulatory flexibility, strong academic-industry partnerships, and government support—has made China the world’s largest hub for CAR T trials in solid tumors.
Global Impact and Future Directions
Satri-Cel is already being evaluated in multinational clinical trials, with expansion planned across North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. Its success may pave the way for CAR T to become a standard second-line therapy in advanced gastric cancer.
At ASCO 2025, Satri-Cel stood out for its efficacy and reaffirmed that solid tumor CAR T therapies are no longer just a vision—they are fast becoming reality.
CancerFax: Connecting You to Breakthrough Cancer Treatments
If you or a loved one is battling advanced gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, Satri-Cel CAR T therapy may be an option. At CancerFax.com, we connect international patients to leading CAR T centers in China, offering cutting-edge treatments and personalized care.
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Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. His career is marked by significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques.
Research Highlights
Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas:
1) Cardiovascular Development and Regeneration: He studied coronary vessel development and regeneration using zebrafish models1.
2) Cancer Biology: At Dartmouth College, he developed zebrafish models for studying tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in pancreatic cancer.
3) Developmental Biology: His doctoral work at Keio University involved identifying and characterizing medaka fish mutants with cardiovascular defects.
4) Stem Cell Research: He investigated the effects of folic acid on mouse embryonic stem cells and worked on cryopreservation techniques for hematopoietic stem cells.
Publications and Presentations
Dr. Mittal has authored several peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals such as Scientific Reports, Cardiovascular Research, and Disease Models & Mechanisms1. He has also presented his research at numerous international conferences, including the Stanford-Weill Cornell Cardiovascular Research Symposium and the Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference.
In summary, Dr. Nishant Mittal is a dedicated and accomplished researcher with a strong track record in cardiovascular and cancer biology, demonstrating expertise in various model systems and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through innovative research approaches.
