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Cell-therapy release and potency testing

The quality checks a CAR-T batch must pass before it can be given: sterile, correct identity, enough live CAR-positive cells, and no replicating virus.

Release panels include sterility (rapid methods such as BacT/ALERT cut 14 days to about 7), mycoplasma PCR, endotoxin, identity (HLA), viability and CAR expression by flow cytometry, vector copy number by qPCR, replication-competent lentivirus, and potency (cytokine release or cytotoxicity). Testing time is a large share of vein-to-vein time; rapid and in-line methods and reduced-testing strategies for early-phase products are active regulatory topics.

Generic schematic · not to scale · placeholder for the cell therapy front
T cell + CAR transgene · CAR binds antigen (no MHC needed) · Tumour cell

How it works

Compendial and validated assays performed on samples of the final product, with defined acceptance criteria in the marketing authorisation.

Strengths
  • Patient safety
  • Regulatory clarity
Limitations
  • Adds days to delivery
  • Potency assays poorly predictive of clinical activity
  • Sample volume consumes product

Latest papers

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