Promising CART T cancer therapy invented at Penn linked to rare, secondary cancers, FDA says

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The FDA is investigating an alarming finding on a promising cancer therapy invented at Penn Medicine. It's being linked to rare, secondary cancers.

The agency said it received 19 reports of new blood cancers in patients who got the CAR T treatment.

Some outcomes included hospitalization and death.

RELATED: New gene therapy turns blood cells into cancer fighters

"We are aware of and closely following the FDA investigation into several reported cases of rare, secondary lymphomas in patients who previously received CAR T cell therapy," said David Porter, MD, the director of Cell Therapy and Transplantation at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center.

CAR T cell therapy was approved in 2017 and involves extracting disease-fighting T-cells from a patient. They are re-engineered to attack cancer and then infused back into the body.

The FDA says, for now, the overall benefits of the therapy still outweigh the risk.

"The development and FDA approval of CAR T cell therapy has brought hope and a new treatment option to thousands of cancer patients across the world. Many patients receive CAR T cells for their cancer when they have few, if any, effective treatment options available," Porter said. "As the FDA statement notes, we feel the benefits of CAR T products continue to outweigh potential risks. We will continue to work with each patient to provide the best possible options and treatment plans - including CAR T cell therapy - for their specific cancer type and care goals."

ALSO SEE: Moves in Medicine: New treatment for multiple myeloma

Penn Medicine said they monitor each patient that receives the therapy, both during and after treatment, including a 15-year follow up.

"It is important to note that we have not seen any cases of secondary lymphomas," Porter noted.