Here is some good news I learned from Dr. Steven Schuster (one of the gurus in CAR-T) during a November 17, 2016 Lymphoma Research Foundation “Advances in Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Lymphoma” teleconference Q&A. This teleconference is posted at http://www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops/555-advances_immunotherapy_treatment_lymphoma_2016-11-17
Results from his UPENN Abramson Comprehensive Cancer Center follicular lymphoma CAR-T clinical trial showed:
- Of 14 follicular lymphoma patients 10 (72%) achieved a complete remission.
- No patient achieving a CAR-T complete remission has relapsed.
- As of today the average time in complete remission is about 2 years.
- If your complete remission is 2 years or greater you have the same survival odds as someone who never had follicular lymphoma.
- After one year about 50% of his follicular lymphoma CAR-T patients have their non-lymphoma B-cells come back and no longer need IVIG infusions.
CAR-T and Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma 
I have seen various studies on length of remission as it pertains to OS. One of them said if no issues within 6 months meant you were in a group with a Median OS of 32.6 years (that was from one of last year’s ASH abstracts). Another a few years back said something about EFS12, meaning if no issues within 12 months of diagnosis/initial treatment then your life expectancy is the same as anyone else who does not have FL. CAR-T and newer treatments are changing all this anyways, but good to read.
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