Breakthrough in Follicular Lymphoma Treatment with BAFF-R Targeting CAR-T Cells

A New Era in Follicular Lymphoma Treatment

In a remarkable advancement in cancer therapy, PeproMene Bio, Inc. (PMB) has reported the successful treatment of a patient with follicular lymphoma (FL) using their innovative BAFF-R targeting CAR-T cell therapy, known as PMB-CT01. The patient, heavily pretreated for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL), achieved complete remission just one month after the treatment.

The announcement was made on May 20, 2025, by PeproMene Bio, a company dedicated to developing groundbreaking therapies for cancers and autoimmune disorders. This milestone marks a significant moment in the ongoing PMB-102 trial, which aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PMB-CT01 in such patients.

Background on Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is recognized as the most prevalent form of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, comprising about 20% of NHL cases in the United States. The standard treatments available today have limitations, often leading to relapse and shorter remission durations with each treatment cycle. As such, there is an urgent demand for new therapeutic options for patients facing this disease.

The lead principal investigator of the trial, Dr. Elizabeth Budde, who is also an associate professor of hematology at City of Hope—one of the U.S.'s leading cancer research institutions—expressed her enthusiasm about this breakthrough. Notably, the patient in question had previously undergone seven lines of treatment, encompassing various therapies, with traditional methods yielding limited results. However, the CAR-T treatment not only led to complete remission but did so with manageable side effects, showcasing the therapy's potential effectiveness.

Insights into PMB-CT01

The PMB-CT01 therapy employs a first-in-class approach that targets the B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), a critical receptor found predominantly on B cells. This receptor plays a pivotal role in B-cell survival and proliferation. Consequently, targeting BAFF-R in cancer treatment may lower the chances of tumor cells escaping therapy by losing the receptor, making it a promising tool for tackling B-cell malignancies.

The initial results from the ongoing trials indicate a consistent complete response rate, with seven out of seven patients treated with PMB-CT01 achieving sustained remission. This is a remarkable indicator of the therapy's potential, given the complex challenges that patients with r/r FL typically face.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Michel Azoulay, Chief Medical Officer at the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation (IFLI), highlighted the significance of this development in expanding treatment options for r/r FL patients. He expressed excitement over the promising efficacy and safety data emerging from this study, emphasizing the critical need for new therapies in this area.

Hazel Cheng, Chief Operating Officer of PMB, reiterated the potential of PMB-CT01 as a viable alternative for patients who have not responded well to existing treatments, particularly for those who have previously undergone CD19 CAR-T therapy. Emerging data suggests that BAFF-R CAR-T cell therapy could provide hope and a new lease on life for many patients grappling with relapsed or refractory forms of lymphoma.

The Road Ahead

Buoyed by these encouraging results, PeproMene Bio is making strides to expand the PMB-102 trial, which will include multiple sites and involve various subtypes of B-cell malignancies, such as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), in addition to FL. The advancement of this first-in-class BAFF-R CAR-T therapy could significantly change the landscape of treatment for related B-cell cancers.

As PeproMene Bio continues its path toward clinical development, the medical community is eager to witness the outcome of further studies. The implications of this innovative therapy extend beyond individual patient outcomes, potentially offering new hope in the fight against resistant B-cell malignancies.

For more information and updates on this groundbreaking study, you can visit PeproMene Bio's official website.