First CAR T-Cell Therapy Approved for Solid Tumors.

China has approved the first CAR T-cell therapy that targets solid tumors, satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel), for patients with claudin 18.2-positive, HER2-negative gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer. The approval stems from a phase II trial that found the cells increased progression-free survival and overall survival. Scientists are excited about the decision but caution that more research is necessary to improve the effectiveness of CAR T cells against solid tumors.