MB-106 Positioned as Potential CAR T-cell Therapy Option for Autoimmune Diseases

In the second part of an interview with HCPLive, Manuel Litchman, MD, president and CEO of Mustang Bio, further discusses their expansion into autoimmune diseases with MB-106, an autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, developed by Mustang Bio in conjunction with Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, and explains the next steps for his team.

The primary objective of the study focuses on achieving proof of concept in 1 or more autoimmune diseases. However, because it is an investigator-sponsored trial, the control of the diseases is in the hands of the researchers at the Fred Hutch. Litchman and his team are currently in active discussions with Fred Hutch regarding various aspects of the trial, including specific indications, patient enrollment, and factors surrounding manufacturing protocols. They are also considering the possibility of a basket trial, enrolling patients with multiple indications.

Litchman said the aim of the trial is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of MB-106 among patients with autoimmune diseases, focusing on durable remission. With the recent reports of long-lasting remissions in immunologic diseases, Litchman believes they can quickly assess the efficacy of the novel therapy. They anticipate transitioning to their own multicenter trial within a year, pending appropriate financing.

Currently, Litchman and his team are exploring preclinical work required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure regulatory compliance. However, advertising advancement was crucial for Mustang Bio, as it presents a significant opportunity for investors, given the track record and promising results of MB-106 in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Disclosures: Litchman is the CEO of Mustang Bio.