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Novartis suspended its rap-cel experimental treatment program due to three fatal immune reactions.

Novartis confirmed the suspension of its rap-cel experimental treatment program. The decision follows the reporting of three cases of immune effector cell-associated haemophagocytic syndromes, which proved fatal.

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Rap-cel is a cell therapy based on CAR-T technology that genetically modifies a patient's white blood cells to destroy defective cells. While death due to an immune reaction is a known risk of this therapeutic approach, the company noted that the rap-cel program in oncology is not affected by the other suspensions. Novartis is currently evaluating the data from these cases to determine the next steps for the treatment. The suspension follows a similar precautionary measure taken by the US competitor Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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