Dr. Borchmann Discusses the Updated Analysis of JULIET in DLBCL

Peter Borchmann, MD, professor, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, discusses the updated analysis of the JULIET trial in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Updated results from the phase II JULIET trial of the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) in patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL were presented at the 2018 European Hematology Association Congress. At a median follow-up of 14.1 months, the objective response rate was 52%, which induced a complete response (CR) rate of 40% and a partial response (PR) rate of 12%. Borchmann says that these responses are very encouraging.

Many patients who achieve a PR went on to reach a CR about 9 to 12 months later, Borchmann notes. The 12-month relapse-free survival (RFS) rate in patients with a CR was 78.5% (95% CI, 60%-89%), and the 12-month RFS rate in all responders was 65% (95% CI, 49%-78%).

Additionally, Borchmann explains that the gene signature of the CAR T cell can be followed for up to 2 years, which can help investigators determine the ongoing efficacy of the single infusion.