Liso-Cel Therapy Shows 90% Survival Rate in Marginal Zone Lymphoma Patients

In a significant advancement for oncology, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel), marketed as Breyanzi, has demonstrated promising outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). According to a recent study presented at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma on June 19, 2025, liso-cel achieved a remarkable overall response rate of 95.5% and a two-year overall survival rate of 90.4% among patients who had previously undergone at least two lines of therapy.

The TRANSCEND FL study, which involved 66 patients, revealed that 62.1% of participants achieved a complete response. Notably, the median follow-up period for the study was 24.5 months. The results underscore the potential of liso-cel to significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients grappling with this challenging blood cancer.

Dr. M. Lia Palomba, a lymphoma and cell therapy specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, "Liso-cel achieved high, lasting response rates in patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma, underscoring the potential of this one-time therapy to significantly improve patient outcomes." This assertion aligns with prior insights from clinical trials indicating that current median survival for MZL patients experiencing multiple relapses ranges from three to five years, highlighting an urgent need for innovative treatments.

Cleveland Clinic outlines that MZL arises from B cells in the marginal zone of lymphoid tissue, with symptoms including fever, night sweats, and fatigue, often accompanied by an enlarged spleen. As a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), MZL has been historically difficult to treat, with limited options available for patients whose disease has relapsed.

The safety profile of liso-cel in the study was consistent with previous trials, with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurring in 76% of patients and neurological events in 33%. However, the majority of these events were mild, with no reports of severe complications. Rosanna Ricafort, Vice President and Senior Global Program Lead for Hematology and Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb, stated, "We are proud to present for the first time the primary analysis data from the MZL cohort of TRANSCEND FL, underscoring our commitment to unlock the full potential of cell therapy to help patients living with relapsed or refractory lymphomas."

The implications of these results are profound, particularly as liso-cel is already approved for treating other types of relapsed or refractory NHL, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. As the most comprehensive CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy, the approval of liso-cel for MZL could revolutionize treatment protocols and enhance survival outcomes in a patient population that has been in dire need of effective therapeutic options.

The results from the TRANSCEND FL study not only provide hope for patients with marginal zone lymphoma but also signify a potential shift in how oncologists approach treatment for various forms of NHL. As further research unfolds, the oncology community remains optimistic about the role of CAR T-cell therapies in improving patient care and outcomes in hematologic malignancies.