Personalized T-cell therapy eliminates detectable metastatic kidney tumor in adolescent after multiple relapses
Researchers and physicians at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) and other leading cancer centers report an exceptional treatment outcome in an adolescent with an advanced, treatment-resistant kidney tumor. Using a novel, personalized T-cell therapy, they succeeded in completely reversing the disease despite multiple metastases.
In a groundbreaking treatment, an adolescent with an advanced, treatment-resistant kidney tumor saw complete regression of disease after receiving a personalized T-cell therapy. The patient, diagnosed with nephroblastoma at age 7, had multiple relapses and metastases over a decade. Despite no curative options or suitable clinical trials, the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) offered the experimental therapy based on promising data from partner Immatics.
The patient's own T cells were genetically modified to recognize the PRAME antigen, a target well-studied in adult cancers like melanoma. Infused in July 2025, the modified T cells began attacking the tumor within nine days, with biopsy results showing massive infiltration and cell death. Three months later, no living tumor cells remained detectable in follow-up biopsies or imaging.
Nearly a year post-treatment, the patient is in excellent health, training and participating in cycling races, completing vocational training, and preparing for his Abitur. This successful case highlights the potential of innovative immunotherapies for children and adolescents with previously incurable solid tumors and underscores the importance of collaboration between biotechnology and academia in developing new therapies.
A phase I/II clinical trial, PRAMEtime, is in the works for future patients, with manufacturing expected to shift to the Center for Innovative Therapies (CIT) in Heidelberg by 2027.
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