CAR T-cell therapy advances in lymphoma

In late July 2026, researchers reported three genetic variants that influence the safety and efficacy of CAR T‑cell therapy in aggressive lymphoma patients, linking STXBP2 to severe inflammatory toxicity, ADMT​SL3 to protection, and PTPN22 to stronger CAR T‑cell expansion. At the same time, clinicians debated the relative merits of bispecific antibodies versus CAR T therapy for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, highlighting concerns over toxicity and treatment logistics.

A week later, a pre‑clinical study from Spain identified CD70 as a marker of relapse risk in follicular lymphoma and engineered a dual‑target CAR T product (ARI‑0001) that attacks both CD19 and CD70. The new construct showed superior tumor control compared with single‑target CAR T cells, suggesting a next step toward more effective, personalized immunotherapy for the disease.

Together, the snapshots trace a trajectory from understanding patient‑specific genetic factors and therapeutic trade‑offs to the development of novel dual‑target CAR T strategies aimed at improving outcomes in follicular lymphoma.