CAR-T Clinical Breakthrough: Carl June on Next-Gen Therapies Making Further Progress [Exclusive Interview]

(Central News Agency reporter Cindy Chang, Philadelphia, June 16) In 2012, a young girl named Emily, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, received CAR-T therapy and has since maintained a cancer-free state for an extended period. Now, this first pediatric cancer survivor has grown into a 22-year-old woman. Carl H. June, one of the key figures behind the development of this therapy, predicts that next-generation treatments will achieve even greater progress across various cancers.

American immunologist Dr. Carl H. June and his team have spent decades researching chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, successfully bringing it into clinical practice and treating patients. For this groundbreaking contribution, he was awarded the 7th Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science.

Speaking at the University of Pennsylvania campus, Dr. June said, "Traditional cancer treatments rely on surgery or chemotherapy, but CAR-T therapy is a method that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. We first extract T cells—part of the immune system—genetically modify them to become cancer-killing CAR-T cells, expand them in number, and then reinfuse them back into the body."

Dr. June added, "The first patient we treated in 2010 still has detectable CAR-T cells in their body over a decade later. This is why CAR-T cells are called a 'permanent living drug'—a characteristic never before seen in medicine."

Furthermore, Dr. June emphasized that because these cells originate from the patient's own immune system, they possess a 'personalized' nature. The patient themselves becomes part of the treatment process, actively participating in the creation of their own therapy.

Born in 1953, Dr. June has long dedicated himself to cellular immunotherapy research. In 2010, he and his team launched clinical trials for CAR-T therapy. The first patient treated was Bill Ludwig, suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Recalling the moment, Dr. June said, "That patient had end-stage leukemia and believed he had only about a month to live. About a month after receiving CAR-T therapy, we performed a biopsy to assess his condition. To our astonishment, all leukemia cells had disappeared. I was so shocked I even doubted whether the test results were wrong."

In 2012, the first pediatric patient, Emily Whitehead, received treatment. She nearly died due to severe side effects, but the team administered a drug that blocks inflammatory responses. Within hours, her condition began to improve—nothing short of miraculous.

Dr. June happily shared, "Emily is now 22 years old and preparing to become a senior at the University of Pennsylvania."

CAR-T therapy integrates cell therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy, making it one of the most revolutionary treatments for blood cancers today.

Dr. June noted that in the United States, seven CAR-T therapy products have already received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Animal studies have also shown that CAR-T cells are effective against nearly all types of cancer in mice.

Dr. June pointed out that research has demonstrated CAR-T cells can also treat patients with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. "This is a surprising and encouraging development, showing that CAR-T cell technology can serve as a foundational platform—not only for fighting cancer but also for treating various other diseases."

Reflecting on the journey, Dr. June said CAR-T cells have already brought significant changes to society. To date, approximately 60,000 patients have received treatment. Now, this research is no longer limited to just a few universities. In addition to academic labs worldwide, a vast biopharmaceutical industry is now involved, working together to expand the application of this technology. (Edited by Tang Pei-chun / Tien Jui-hua) 1150616