CAR-T Cell Therapy Clinical Trial Landscape

CAR-T has reshaped treatment for relapsed blood cancers and is now moving into autoimmune disease. Track all 285+ active CAR-T trials — hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and the emerging autoimmune frontier — with daily alerts when new studies open or existing ones change.

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285+
Active CAR-T trials (2026)
184
Currently recruiting
11
Phase 3 pivotal programs
6
FDA-approved CAR-T therapies

Phase 3 CAR-T Trials — Active 2026

These pivotal programs will define how CAR-T moves into earlier lines of hematologic malignancy and into autoimmune disease through 2027–2028.

NCT ID Program / Regimen Sponsor Indication Phase
NCT04181827 JNJ-68284528 (ciltacabtagene autoleucel / Carvykti) vs standard Janssen Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-4) Phase 3
NCT04923893 VRd followed by Carvykti vs VRd alone (1L myeloma) Janssen Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-6) Phase 3
NCT07391657 AZD0120 (dual BCMA/CD38 CAR-T) vs standard of care AstraZeneca Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma Phase 3
NCT07335562 BMS-986353 (zolacaptogene iraleucel) vs investigator choice CAR-T Juno / Bristol Myers Squibb Relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma Phase 3
NCT06193889 KYV-101 (anti-CD19 CAR-T) vs standard immunosuppression Kyverna Therapeutics Autoimmune disease (KYSA-6) Phase 3
NCT06799247 Descartes-08 (mRNA anti-CD19 CAR-T) vs placebo Cartesian Therapeutics Generalized myasthenia gravis Phase 3
NCT07188558 Ronde-cel (anti-CD19) vs investigator choice CD19 CAR-T Lyell Immunopharma Relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma Phase 3
NCT07441291 CD19 CAR-T vs donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) Peking University People's Hospital Post-HSCT MRD+ Ph- ALL Phase 3
NCT06652633 GLPG5101 (anti-CD19 allogeneic) long-term follow-up Galapagos NV B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma Phase 3

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CAR-T Target Antigens — 2026 Landscape

The approved CAR-T drugs target two antigens. The pipeline targets many more, with particular interest in dual-antigen constructs (to reduce antigen-loss relapse) and B-cell antigens driving autoimmune disease.

CD19
Kymriah, Yescarta, Breyanzi, Tecartus — plus autoimmune programs (Kyverna, Cartesian, Lyell). The dominant B-cell malignancy and autoimmune target.
BCMA
Carvykti (Janssen), Abecma (BMS). Multiple myeloma's primary CAR-T target. AZD0120 adds CD38 co-targeting to address antigen escape.
GPRC5D
Talquetamab, plus multiple CAR-T programs in myeloma. An alternative BCMA-escape target — trials exploring BCMA+GPRC5D dual constructs.
CD22
Combination CD19/CD22 dual CAR programs in ALL and DLBCL — designed to prevent single-antigen loss relapse that limits CD19-only CAR-T.
B7-H3
Solid tumor target. Multiple early-phase programs in glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. Phase 1/2 stage.
GD2
Pediatric solid tumors: neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, DIPG. Academic-led Phase 1/2 programs at St. Jude, MD Anderson, City of Hope.

Where CAR-T Is Heading: Key 2026 Trends

1. Autoimmune Disease — The Biggest Expansion Opportunity

Multiple early studies have demonstrated that a single CD19 CAR-T infusion can induce sustained, drug-free remission in treatment-refractory SLE, myasthenia gravis, and inflammatory myopathies. The mechanism: deep B-cell depletion followed by immune reset as naive B cells repopulate. Kyverna Therapeutics (KYSA-6, Phase 3) and Cartesian Therapeutics (Descartes-08, Phase 3 in MG) are the furthest along in pivotal trials. If Phase 3 data confirm Phase 1/2 results, CAR-T could enter the autoimmune market — a far larger commercial opportunity than hematologic malignancies.

2. Allogeneic ("Off-the-Shelf") CAR-T

All six approved CAR-T therapies are autologous — made from the patient's own T cells, requiring 3–6 weeks of manufacturing and failing when T-cell quality is poor. Allogeneic CAR-T uses healthy donor T cells edited to prevent graft-versus-host disease, enabling immediate availability and potentially lower cost. Galapagos (GLPG5101), Allogene, and multiple academic programs are in Phase 2/3. Regulatory acceptance of allogeneic T-cell products remains the key open question.

3. Earlier Lines in Hematology

Carvykti and Abecma were initially approved for 4th-line+ multiple myeloma. CARTITUDE-4 data (JNJ-68284528) showed superiority versus standard of care in 2nd-line myeloma. Phase 3 programs are now enrolling newly diagnosed myeloma (1st-line). The commercial prize for 1L myeloma CAR-T is several billion dollars per year in the US alone.

4. Solid Tumors — Still Challenging

CAR-T in solid tumors remains Phase 1/2. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, poor T-cell trafficking, and antigen heterogeneity continue to limit activity. B7-H3, GD2, and mesothelin are the most-advanced solid tumor targets. Some early signals in glioblastoma and neuroblastoma, but no regulatory approvals yet.

Approved CAR-T Therapies — 2026 Reference

Drug (Generic) Brand Target Sponsor Approved Indication
Tisagenlecleucel Kymriah CD19 Novartis Pediatric ALL; relapsed/refractory DLBCL and FL
Axicabtagene ciloleucel Yescarta CD19 Gilead / Kite Relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma and FL
Brexucabtagene autoleucel Tecartus CD19 Kite / Gilead Relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma; ALL
Lisocabtagene maraleucel Breyanzi CD19 Bristol Myers Squibb Relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (2L+)
Ciltacabtagene autoleucel Carvykti BCMA Janssen / Legend Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (2L+)
Idecabtagene vicleucel Abecma BCMA Bristol Myers Squibb Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (4L+)
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy is a form of adoptive cell therapy in which a patient's own T cells are collected, genetically engineered to express a synthetic receptor targeting a tumor antigen, expanded in the lab, and reinfused to attack cancer. The chimeric antigen receptor combines an extracellular antigen-binding domain (typically a single-chain variable fragment from a monoclonal antibody) with intracellular T-cell signaling domains (CD3zeta plus costimulatory domains such as CD28 or 4-1BB). Most approved CAR-Ts are autologous (patient-derived); next-generation programs aim for allogeneic (donor-derived, off-the-shelf) manufacturing to eliminate the 3-6 week vein-to-vein time.
What CAR-T therapies are currently approved?
Six CAR-T therapies have FDA approval: Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel, Novartis), targeting CD19, approved for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel, Gilead/Kite), CD19, approved for large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma; Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel, Kite), CD19, approved for mantle cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel, Bristol Myers Squibb), CD19, approved for large B-cell lymphoma (also cleared for follicular lymphoma and CLL/SLL); Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel, Janssen/Legend), targeting BCMA, approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma; Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel, Bristol Myers Squibb/2seventy), BCMA, approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. All six approved therapies target blood cancers; solid tumor CAR-T remains in early-phase development.
What are the most important CAR-T clinical trials right now?
The highest-profile Phase 3 CAR-T programs include CARTITUDE-4/6 (Janssen, Carvykti in earlier lines of multiple myeloma), AZD0120 (AstraZeneca, a dual BCMA/CD38-targeted CAR-T in myeloma), KYSA-6 (Kyverna Therapeutics, CD19 CAR-T in autoimmune disease), Descartes-08 (Cartesian Therapeutics, an mRNA-encoded CD19 CAR-T in myasthenia gravis), and BMS-986353/zolacaptogene iraleucel (Juno/Bristol Myers Squibb, next-generation CD19 CAR-T in DLBCL). The autoimmune programs are the most novel frontier: they represent an attempt to expand the CAR-T platform beyond oncology.
Can CAR-T cell therapy treat autoimmune diseases?
Yes. CD19-targeting CAR-T is being evaluated in autoimmune diseases where autoreactive B cells drive disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myasthenia gravis, and inflammatory myopathies. A case series from Georg Schett's group at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg reported sustained, drug-free remission in SLE patients after a single CD19 CAR-T infusion, with the longest documented follow-up showing remission maintained out to 29 months. Kyverna Therapeutics (KYSA-6) and Cartesian Therapeutics (Descartes-08, in myasthenia gravis) are running Phase 3 trials. If Phase 3 data confirm the early results, CAR-T could expand into autoimmune disease, a substantially larger patient population than the blood cancers it currently treats.
How can I track new CAR-T clinical trials?
DataLookout monitors ClinicalTrials.gov daily and sends email alerts for new and updated CAR-T trials filtered to your criteria. Track by target antigen (CD19, BCMA, GPRC5D, B7-H3), by sponsor (Janssen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Kyverna, Cartesian, Lyell), by disease (multiple myeloma, DLBCL, ALL, SLE), or by phase. Every plan, including Free, can choose a daily or weekly email digest. Starter and Pro plans add multiple simultaneous watchlists and saved searches. Start tracking at dashboard.datalookout.com.

Related Clinical Trial Trackers

Live trial data Data as of 2026-08-28, ClinicalTrials.gov

949 active trials, 598 recruiting. Phases: Early Phase 1: 150, Phase 1: 516, Phase 2: 274, Phase 3: 18, Phase 4: 2.

View the full sponsor pipeline on the dashboard

Notable trials Ranked by recent tracked changes, ClinicalTrials.gov data as of 2026-08-28
TrialStatusLatest tracked changeSeen
Phase I/II Open-label Study Evaluating The Safety And Efficacy of Concomitant… NCT06762431RecruitingPrimary completion pushed: 2026-03-09 → 2026-08-092026-08-11
Autoimmune Disease Treatment With Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and CAR-T Cells NCT06435897Not Yet RecruitingCompletion pushed: 2027-12-31 → 2029-12-312026-08-28
19(T2)28z1xx Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells in People With B-Cell… NCT04464200Active, Not RecruitingCompletion pushed: 2026-07 → 2027-072026-08-28
Universal CAR-T Cells Targeting Multiple Myeloma NCT06006741Not Yet RecruitingCompletion pushed: 2026-12-31 → 2028-12-312026-08-27
Safety and Efficacy of Metabolically Armed CD19 CAR-T Cells (Meta10-19) in the… NCT06711146RecruitingPrimary endpoint(s) modified2026-08-25

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Related Analysis
Multiple Myeloma Clinical Trials — largest CAR-T indication by trial count