In a significant development for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), CARGO Therapeutics announced on January 29, 2025, the discontinuation of its Phase 2 FIRCE-1 clinical trial investigating firi-cel. The decision came after an ad hoc analysis revealed safety concerns that undermined the therapy's benefit-risk profile in patients whose disease had failed to respond to or relapsed following CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.
Safety Concerns Lead to Trial Termination
The company's decision to halt the FIRCE-1 study was prompted by recent safety events that triggered an unplanned analysis. Upon review, CARGO Therapeutics determined that the results did not support a competitive benefit-risk profile for firi-cel in the target patient population. This development represents a setback in addressing the significant unmet need for effective treatments in post-CAR T-cell therapy failure scenarios.
Legal Investigation Launched
Following the trial's discontinuation, law firm Levi & Korsinsky has initiated an investigation into CARGO Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRGX) regarding potential violations of federal securities laws. The investigation centers on whether the company may have issued false or misleading statements or failed to disclose material information to investors.
Impact on LBCL Treatment Landscape
The termination of the FIRCE-1 trial highlights the ongoing challenges in developing effective therapies for patients with aggressive lymphomas who have exhausted current treatment options. Large B-cell lymphoma patients who relapse after CAR T-cell therapy represent a particularly vulnerable population with limited therapeutic alternatives.
The development also underscores the critical importance of rigorous safety monitoring in clinical trials and the biopharmaceutical industry's commitment to patient safety, even when it means discontinuing potentially promising therapeutic programs.
