A clinical trial at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health has provided renewed hope for patients battling advanced cancers, particularly those linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). Among the participants is Maria Pascale, a 50-year-old woman from Philadelphia, who has experienced years of intense treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. After enduring multiple therapies, Pascale is now in remission, thanks to a novel cellular therapy developed specifically for patients with metastatic HPV-associated cancers.
Pascale’s journey began in February 2018 when a routine CT scan following a car accident revealed a mass in her neck. Diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, she underwent numerous conventional treatments without success. “I didn’t have any hope because all of the traditional treatments, they were not working for me,” Pascale recalled. By early 2024, after a series of surgeries and chemotherapy, she faced a dire situation when the cancer metastasized to her lungs.
At this point, her oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital introduced her to a clinical trial exploring cellular therapy as a new treatment option. This approach, particularly the CAR T-cell therapy, has gained traction in recent years for its effectiveness against certain blood cancers. The therapy involves taking a patient’s own cells, genetically modifying them, and reintroducing them to target cancer cells.
Dr. Christian Hinrichs, who leads the cell therapy program at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has spearheaded research into this innovative treatment for various cancers. In July 2024, Pascale received the one-time cellular therapy, which initially caused significant discomfort. “I felt like I had pneumonia, it was horrible,” she said. “But it was the cells working.”
The results from this trial have been promising. At the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting held from November 5 to 9, it was reported that six out of ten patients treated have experienced substantial tumor shrinkage. “At an individual level, it’s life-changing for these patients who’ve had their cancers go away,” stated Hinrichs, who also serves as the co-director of the Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence at Rutgers.
The findings suggest that cellular therapy could offer a foundation for treating other types of cancers as well. “This type of treatment approach with the one-time engineered T-cell therapy can cause complete responses in epithelial cancers, beginning with HPV,” Hinrichs noted.
Pascale’s inspiring story highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of life-threatening illness. Now in remission since September 2024, she encourages others not to lose hope. “It’s painful. It’s hard. But you have to be strong and try,” she advised fellow cancer patients.
As more clinical trials unfold, the potential for cellular therapies to transform cancer treatment continues to grow. Pascale’s case underscores the need for innovative approaches in the fight against cancer, offering a glimpse of hope for many who face similar battles.
