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Purpose In general, 50 % up to 80 % of metastasized germ cell tumor patients can be cured by platinum-based chemotherapy. However, 3–5 % of patients will still die of platinum-refractory disease and new systemic treatment options are needed to improve treatment success in this difficult setting. This review aims to give an overview on treatment options and current developments in the field of platinum-refractory male germ cell tumors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted searching PubMed, Medline, Cochrane and Embase to identify clinical trials regarding the treatment of platinum-refractory disease. ASCO, EAU and ESMO conference proceedings were searched to identify unpublished results of relevant trials. Comprehensive review papers were hand searched for additional references. Clinicaltrials.gov was checked for ongoing clinical trials in the field of platinum-refractory germ cell tumors. Results Outcome of platinum-refractory disease remains poor. Single-agents with reasonable activity are gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and paclitaxel, but complete remissions resulting in long-term survival could not be achieved. The triple-combination of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and paclitaxel followed by resection of residual masses provides the best outcomes with objective responses in 51 % of patients and long-term survival in approximately 10–15 %. To date, no molecularly targeted agent has shown reasonable activity. Conclusions Treatment options for platinum-refractory disease are limited, but a small subset of patients may achieve long-term disease-free survival by multimodal treatment. The potential of novel targeted agents, i.e. by immune-checkpoint-inhibition remains to be defined.

Engineering immune cells to treat hematological malignancies has been a major focus of research since the first resounding successes of CAR-T-cell therapies in B-ALL. Several diseases can now be treated in highly therapy-refractory or relapsed conditions. Currently, a number of CD19- or BCMA-specific CAR-T-cell therapies are approved for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and follicular lymphoma (FL). The implementation of these therapies has significantly improved patient outcome and survival even in cases with previously very poor prognosis. In this comprehensive review, we present the current state of research, recent innovations, and the applications of CAR-T-cell therapy in a selected group of hematologic malignancies. We focus on B- and T-cell malignancies, including the entities of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (T-ALL, PTCL, CTCL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), classical Hodgkin-Lymphoma (HL), Burkitt-Lymphoma (BL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). While these diseases are highly heterogenous, we highlight several similarly used approaches (combination with established therapeutics, target depletion on healthy cells), targets used in multiple diseases (CD30, CD38, TRBC1/2), and unique features that require individualized approaches. Furthermore, we focus on current limitations of CAR-T-cell therapy in individual diseases and entities such as immunocompromising tumor microenvironment (TME), risk of on-target-off-tumor effects, and differences in the occurrence of adverse events. Finally, we present an outlook into novel innovations in CAR-T-cell engineering like the use of artificial intelligence and the future role of CAR-T cells in therapy regimens in everyday clinical practice.

Despite substantial therapeutic advances in multiple myeloma (MM), extramedullary disease (EMD) remains an aggressive subtype associated with poor prognosis, for which consensus on management is lacking and dedicated clinical trials are scarce. We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of 86 patients with radiologically confirmed EMD, defined as soft-tissue involvement without bone contiguity (data cut-off September 30, 2024). The cohort included patients with de novo EMD ( n  = 19, 22%) and secondary EMD at relapse of MM ( n  = 67, 78%). We assessed clinical characteristics, survival outcomes, and treatment strategies. Treatment was highly heterogeneous, comprising > 50 distinct regimens. Median overall survival (mOS) from initial MM diagnosis was 55 months. mOS from EMD occurrence was 28 months for de novo and 21 months for secondary EMD. Survival varied by anatomical site: central nervous system (CNS), pulmonary, and retroperitoneal involvement showed a trend toward inferior survival, whereas lymph node involvement was associated with significantly longer survival in exploratory analyses ( p  = 0.011). Based on these findings, we exploratorily categorized anatomical sites into a three-tiered risk grouping, which revealed a stepwise gradient that did not reach statistical significance ( p  = 0.054). High-risk cytogenetic features were present in 50% of patients with de novo EMD and in 43% with secondary EMD . Novel agents, including CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, were used predominantly in later lines, with responses in secondary EMD that were often transient. This real-world analysis confirms the high-risk nature of EMD, especially for patients with CNS, pulmonary, or retroperitoneal involvement. Given the observed treatment heterogeneity, prospective registries are urgently needed to define optimal therapeutic sequencing and address the high unmet therapeutic need in EMD patients.

High-dose chemotherapy (HD-Cx) in refractory germ cell cancer (GCC) is effective but limited data are available concerning the optimal approach for stem cell mobilization (SCM) in these patients. In this analysis 102 patients undergoing SCM during first (n = 25) or subsequent treatment lines (n = 77) were analyzed. Subcutaneous injections of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were given once daily (group 1) in 52 patients (51%), twice daily (group 2) in 39 patients (38%) or one injection Pegylated-G-CSF (PegG-CSF) (group 3) in eleven patients (11%) after one cycle of mobilization chemotherapy. Plerixafor was administered 13 times in group 1, seven times in group 2 and once in group 3. Overall, 77 (75%) patients achieved successful SCM defined as ≥8*106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight for three consecutive HD-Cx plus one backup dose. In group 1, 40 of 52 patients (77%) achieved successful SCM with a median of 11 G-CSF injections, in group 2, 27 of 39 patients (69%) with a median of 14 G-CSF injections and in group 3, 10 of 11 patients (91%) with one injection of PegG-CSF. SCM was more successful if conducted during first-line chemotherapy (p = 0.016) and associated with a beneficial outcome concerning overall survival (p = 0.02) if performed satisfactorily.

Background Advanced urothelial carcinomas represent a considerable clinical challenge as they are difficult to treat. Platinum-based combination regimens obtain response rates ranging from 40 to 70% in first-line therapy of advanced urothelial carcinoma. In the majority of cases, however, the duration of these responses is limited, and when progression occurs, the outcome is generally poor. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. The purpose of the current research is to investigate the anticancer effects and the mode of action of the marine triterpene glycoside frondoside A in p53-wild type and p53-deficient human urothelial carcinoma cells. Methods Activity of frondoside A was examined in the human urothelial carcinoma cell lines RT112, RT4, HT-1197, TCC-SUP, T-24, and 486p. Effects of frondoside A on cell viability, either alone or in combination with standard cytotoxic agents were investigated, and synergistic effects were analyzed. Pro-apoptotic activity was assessed by Western blotting and FACS, alone and in combination with a caspases-inhibitor. The impact of functional p53 was investigated by siRNA gene silencing and the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α. Effects on autophagy were studied using LC3B-I/II and SQSTM/p62 as markers. The unpaired Student’s t -test was used for comparison of the data sets. Results Frondoside A shows high cytotoxicity in urothelial carcinoma cells with IC 50s ranging from 0.55 to 2.33 μM while higher concentrations of cisplatin are required for comparable effects (IC 50  = 2.03 ~ 5.88 μM). Induction of apoptosis by frondoside A was associated with the regulation of several pro-apoptotic factors, like caspase-3, -8, and -9, PARP, Bax, p21, DNA fragmentation, and externalization of phosphatidylserine. Remarkably, inhibition of p53 by gene silencing or pifithrin-α pretreatment, as well as caspase inhibition, did not suppress apoptotic activity of frondoside A, while cisplatin activity, in contrast, was significantly decreased. Frondoside A inhibited pro-survival autophagy, a known mechanism of drug resistance in urothelial carcinoma and showed synergistic activity with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Conclusions A unique combination of properties makes marine compound frondoside A a promising candidate for the treatment of human urothelial carcinomas.

Prognosis of adult patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) or measurable residual disease (MRD)–positive B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains poor. Blinatumomab induces complete remissions (CR) and MRD negativity in a subset of patients, yet overall survival remains limited. As BCL2 overexpression contributes to leukemic cell survival and therapy resistance, combining Blinatumomab with the BCL2 inhibitor Venetoclax may enhance therapeutic efficacy. The GMALL-BLIVEN (NCT05182385) phase I multicenter trial evaluated the safety and feasibility of Venetoclax plus Blinatumomab in adults with CD19⁺, Philadelphia chromosome–negative r/r or MRD-positive B-ALL. Dose escalation followed a 3 + 3 design across three Venetoclax dose levels (DL-1: 400 mg; DL-2: 600 mg; DL-3: 800 mg) administered from day − 7 to day 42, with Blinatumomab given per label. The primary endpoint was determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD); key secondary endpoint was achievement of molecular complete remission (MOL-CR) by centralized IG/TR MRD assessment (sensitivity ≥ 10⁻⁴). Nine patients (median age 52 years, range 22–71) were enrolled across four German centers: four with r/r B-ALL and five with MRD-positive disease. Molecular subtypes included ZNF384-rearranged (n = 2), BCR::ABL1-like (n = 2), CEBP-rearranged (n = 1), hypodiploidy (n = 1), B-ALL NOS (n = 2), and KMT2A-rearranged (n = 1). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and the MTD was not reached. Treatment-emergent grade ≥ III toxicities included neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, cytokine release syndrome, and ICANS; no 30- or 60-day mortality occurred. Six patients completed two full cycles without treatment interruptions. The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) was established as Venetoclax 800 mg daily plus standard-dose Blinatumomab. All nine patients were evaluable for response. Among r/r B-ALL, responses included PR ( n  = 1), CR ( n  = 1), and PD ( n  = 2). Among MRD-positive patients, 4/5 achieved MOL-CR. Four patients were successfully bridged to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. After a median follow-up of 17.8 months, median overall survival was 15.0 months (r/r: 6.6 months; MRD-positive: 16.9 months). Non-responders were enriched for adverse molecular subtypes (BCR::ABL1-like and hypodiploid B-ALL). Venetoclax combined with Blinatumomab is safe and feasible in adults with r/r or MRD-positive B-ALL, without increased rates of CRS or neurotoxicity compared with Blinatumomab alone. High rates of MRD clearance were observed in MRD-positive patients. The phase II portion of GMALL-BLIVEN is ongoing at the RP2D of Venetoclax 800 mg daily. Key Points It was safe to combine Venetoclax with Blinatumomab in r/r B-ALL Recommended Phase-II-Dose was defined as continuous Venetoclax 800 mg/d in combination with standard dose Blinatumomab

Germ cell cancers (GCCs) represent the most common malignant tumours among men up to the age of 40 years. GCCs are characterised by high cure rates of >99% for localised stage I disease, but even at advanced metastatic stages, 67%-96% of patients can be cured with multimodal treatment approaches. The high curability owes to an exceptional responsiveness to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, about 30% of patients with metastatic disease eventually relapse after first-line multimodality treatment. At first relapse, salvage treatment still cures approximately 50% of patients. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard of care in this setting, administered either as conventional-dose cisplatin-based regimens or as high-dose carboplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Across multiple large retrospective cohorts, high-dose chemotherapy has repeatedly been associated with superior progression-free and overall survival compared with conventional-dose approaches, although definitive prospective evidence is awaited. Patients suffering second or multiple relapses are considered platinum-resistant and face a very dismal prognosis with a life expectancy generally limited to less than 12 months. The mainstay of treatment in this setting is still conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy since no molecularly targeted treatments have shown clinically meaningful activity, to date. However, Claudin-6 (CLDN6)-directed approaches appear the most promising avenue of new treatment options in this situation. In this narrative review, we outline established and emerging treatment opportunities for this rare but challenging clinical scenario of platinum-resistant GCCs. This review provides a focused and up-to-date synthesis of therapeutic options for multiply relapsed, platinum-refractory GCCs, with a particular emphasis on late-line treatment sequencing and emerging biomarker-driven strategies, including CLDN6-directed therapies.

Background Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) is a BCMA-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Following the CARTITUDE-1 results in heavily pretreated patients, the randomized phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 trial demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival for cilta-cel compared with standard of care in lenalidomide-refractory patients after one to three prior lines, leading to label expansion in 2024. However, real-world data characterizing outcomes in this earlier-line indication are lacking. Methods We analyzed all patients with RRMM receiving standard-of-care cilta-cel between 2022 and 2025 from the German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Patients were stratified by prior lines of therapy into an Early group (1–3 prior lines) and a Late group (> 3 prior lines). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate, response conversion, and safety outcomes including cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), non-ICANS neurotoxicity, and non-relapse mortality. Prognostic associations were assessed using restricted cubic spline Cox regression and univariable Cox models. Results Of 606 patients, 177 (30%) were treated in the Early and 429 (70%) in the Late setting. The overall response rate was 91% and 88%, with complete response in 63% and 54%, respectively. The 12-month PFS was 79% for Early and 70% for Late cilta-cel. Depth of response was the strongest predictor of PFS in both cohorts, with patients maintaining complete response showing 100% PFS at 12 months irrespective of treatment line. Extramedullary disease was adversely prognostic in both groups, whereas high-risk cytogenetics were not associated with inferior PFS in the Early group. Non-ICANS neurotoxicity occurred less frequently in the Early group (3% versus 8%), while non-relapse mortality was comparable (6% versus 7%). Conclusions This analysis demonstrates that cilta-cel in earlier lines of therapy achieves deep responses and high PFS consistent with the CARTITUDE-4 trial. These results provide real-world evidence for the deployment of cilta-cel as early as first relapse and may be a benchmark outside prospective trials.

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMD) is associated with low response rates, short progression-free survival, and poor prognosis. CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies (bsABs) have shown efficacy in relapsed myeloma, but it remains uncertain whether one T cell redirection strategy should be preferred. We retrospectively analyzed 80 patients with EMD not adjacent to the bone treated with ide-cel, cilta-cel, teclistamab, or talquetamab at three academic centers in Germany. All patients were heavily pretreated, and a high-risk cytogenetic profile was prevalent in >41% of patients. All cohorts had a median of 5 to 7 prior lines of therapy. The vast majority of patients receiving cilta-cel, ide-cel, or teclistamab were BCMA-naive ( >88%). Response rates after CAR T cell infusion were significantly higher (100% with cilta-cel, 82% with ide-cel) than with bsABs (29% for talquetamab, 36% for teclistamab). Complete resolution of EMD was more frequent after CAR T cell therapies (50% and 41%) than after bsABs (16% and 14%). With a median follow-up of 12.2 months, median (m)PFS was not reached in patients that had received cilta-cel; mPFS was 7.3 months after ide-cel and significantly longer for both CAR T products compared to talquetamab or teclistamab (mPFS 4.0 and 2.6 months). Effective debulking therapy prolonged remissions after CAR T cell infusion compared to no debulking or no response to debulking. Visceral and soft tissue manifestations responded significantly less frequently than EMD in other locations. With significantly higher response rates, deeper remissions, and longer mPFS, our retrospective data suggest CAR T cells may provide a meaningful benefit in EMD.