Saw the following article in today’s Guardian. The heading is
First patients of pioneering CAR T-cell therapy ‘cured of cancer’
Cancer-killing cells still present 10 years on, with results suggesting therapy is a cure for certain blood cancers
Let’s hope this is some good news!
Hi @Lulu999 interesting times ahead, thanks
Quite exciting. New treatments being developed all of the time. The research is so important 
That is such positive news isnt it. And we need some of that.
So encouraging to see results like this, @Lulu999 - thank you. Leukaemia is an awful disease, but what particularly upsets me about it is that so many children go through brutal chemo treatments because of it. I really hope that one day soon, new treatments like this can save children from months of misery.
State of the Art in Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’) Targeted Therapies: Q1 2026 Technical Report
Hi everyone,
I approach Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’) from an engineering mindset, tracking biotechnology trends and clinical trial data to understand the mechanics of upcoming treatments.
I have compiled a brief technical report on the latest advancements (as of mid-February 2026) regarding targeted therapies—specifically cellular engineering like CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) and novel NK cell engagers.
I am sharing this as a test run. If you find this type of technical summary useful, please let me know in the comments. If there’s interest, I can post similar updates periodically, but only when there is significant new information, to ensure the content remains fresh and valuable without being repetitive.
DISCLAIMER: This post is for informational and educational purposes only, based on publicly available data. It is intended to highlight current biotech trends from a technical perspective. It is NOT medical advice. I am not a doctor. Always consult your hematologist or oncologist before making any treatment decisions.
TECHNICAL REPORT: ADVANCES IN HEMATO-ONCOLOGY (Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’) & TARGETED THERAPIES)
Review Date: February 14, 2026 Focus: Cellular engineering & Bispecific/NK Engagers
1. Anti-CD22 CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) Therapy (NCI, Kite, Novartis)
CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) technology in the context of Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’) is evolving toward consolidation therapy aimed at preventing relapses after standard treatments.
NCI (National Cancer Institute): * New Trial (NCT07328503): Announced in early February 2026, the NCI is investigating the use of CD22 CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) cells as a consolidation extension for patients who have previously received CD19 targeted therapy. The goal is to close the loop on remission and eliminate the risk of “antigen escape.”
Kite (Gilead) & Novartis: * Focus is shifting toward bicistronic platforms (CD19/CD22) to provide targeting redundancy. Additionally, reports indicate a push toward minimizing manufacturing time (vein-to-vein time) to under 7 days using platforms like Novartis’s T-Charge.
2. Innate Pharma (IPH) – ANKET® Platform & CD123 (IPH6101)
The company is navigating an operational transition, preparing for the next crucial phase of clinical development.
IPH6101 (SAR’579) – NK Cell Engager:
Operational Status: After regaining full rights from Sanofi in July 2025, Innate Pharma has completed the transfer of Phase 1/2 clinical data. As of Q1 2026, the company is actively seeking a strategic partner to fund Phase 2 expansion.
Technology: The ANKET® platform (targeting CD123, which is present in Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’) and Acute myeloid leukaemia (‘Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML')’)) shows a very low inflammatory toxicity profile in early-phase trials (Grade 1/2 Cytokine Release Syndrome). From an engineering standpoint, this is a critical advantage for patients who are highly sensitive to treatment-induced fevers.
3. AstraZeneca – The Post-Moxetumomab Pipeline
Following the commercial withdrawal of Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox), AstraZeneca has fully pivoted away from older-generation immunotoxins toward bispecific antibodies and cellular engineering.
Surovatamig (AZD0486):
AZD0120:
4. Next Generation: CAR-HSC Architecture (Modifying the “Factory”)
While the classic CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) process relies on modifying mature lymphocytes, the latest data introduces a fundamental shift in treatment architecture. Genetic engineering now transfers the modification vector directly to the level of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). This solves the hardware-level problem of the limited lifespan inherent in classic cellular therapies.
Limitations of Classic CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) (Modifying Endpoint Units): The current protocol deploys a finite pool of reprogrammed T-cells. From a technical standpoint, this system has a predetermined lifespan. Over time, these cells undergo T-cell exhaustion; their division cycle loops and eventually shuts down. In the case of resistant cells (e.g., in Hairy cell leukaemia (‘Hairy cell leukaemia ('HCL')’)), this functional decline opens a pathway for relapse.
The CAR-HSC Model (Source Modification): In this approach, a viral vector carrying the CAR receptor code is introduced directly into the patient’s stem cells within the bone marrow. The modification targets the core of the hematopoietic system—the “factory”—rather than just the individual “soldiers.”
System Efficiency (Self-Renewal): The engineered HSCs acquire the capacity for continuous, lifelong production of new, functional units.
Systemic Effect (Full Spectrum): The upgraded “factory” releases a complete spectrum of armed immune forces into the bloodstream. This includes not only targeted CAR T-cell therapy (‘CAR T-cell therapy ('CAR-T')’) lymphocytes but also CAR-NK (Natural Killer) cells and CAR-Macrophages. The immune system receives a permanent update at the source level.
