UC Davis Health's Stem Cell Program has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Health Net to improve access to CAR T-cell therapies and clinical trials for cancer patients. This funding aims to make the potentially life-saving treatment more affordable and accessible, particularly for underinsured and underserved populations. The grant will support clinical trials and the development of new CAR T-cell products at the Stem Cell Program’s Alpha Clinic, with the goal of advancing the science of CAR T-cell therapy and improving patient outcomes.
Objectives of the Grant
The grant will focus on therapies that can treat a broader range of patients, especially those who face financial barriers. It aims to reduce costs, increase accessibility, and facilitate patient participation in clinical trials by assisting with travel, accommodations, and lab testing near patients' homes.
"Health Net’s mission is to transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time," said Todd May, Vice President and Medical Director at Health Net. "We are proud to support the UC Davis team’s pioneering and cutting-edge cancer research with this $500,000 grant, and to support work that aims to create a more effective, accessible and affordable CAR-T cancer treatment."
UC Davis' CAR T-cell Therapy Development
UC Davis has an established track record in advancing CAR T-cell therapy, currently managing 14 CAR T clinical trials with more in development. To date, the CAR T-cell program has overseen the treatment of 95 patients. The institution's Malignant Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Transplantation Program is the first in the region to manufacture CAR T-cells on-site.
Researchers at UC Davis have optimized the manufacturing process, reducing the time required from 12 to 8 days and validating the use of fresh rather than frozen products, enabling rapid delivery of CAR T products to patients. Furthermore, UC Davis has significantly lowered therapy costs. According to Professor Jan Nolta, director of the Stem Cell Program, the cost at UC Davis is around 10-20% of commercial CAR T-cell therapy costs.
Impact on Treatment Costs and Insurance Coverage
This cost reduction has been crucial for gaining FDA approval for insurance coverage of the manufactured product. "This transparency in pricing was crucial for gaining FDA approval for insurance coverage of the manufactured product," Nolta stated. With the cost of production lowered, insurance companies are more willing to participate in covering the treatment, increasing accessibility for patients who cannot afford the currently approved therapies on the market.
Ongoing Clinical Trial
This new grant is linked to an ongoing clinical trial for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Mehrdad Abedi, professor of oncology at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the principal investigator on the trial.
