CAR T-Cell Therapy Led to Remission in Lymphoma Patient

A follicular lymphoma patient achieved remission after specialized therapy and years of prior treatment.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Cancer

A close-up view of a glass petri dish with fluid resting on a clean stainless steel laboratory surface in a sterile clinical environment. — Laurie Adami achieved remission from follicular lymphoma in 2018 through a specialized CAR T-cell therapy infusion following a three-year diagnostic delay. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following a three-year diagnostic delay and six unsuccessful prior cancer treatments, Laurie Adami achieved remission in 2018 after participating in the ZUMA-5 clinical trial. This case highlights both the potential of CAR T-cell therapy and the significant barriers many eligible patients face in accessing it.

Why it matters

While CAR T-cell therapy can be life-saving for refractory lymphoma, only 2 in 10 eligible patients currently receive this specialized treatment due to geographic and systemic hurdles. Understanding these obstacles is essential as medical efforts aim to increase patient access by 2030.

In the ZUMA-5 clinical trial, patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma received axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) therapy. Data indicates that geographic distance significantly correlates with lower treatment uptake, highlighting that only 20% of eligible patients receive this care.

The players

Laurie Adami

A lymphoma survivor and advocate who received CAR T-cell therapy after multiple treatment failures.

Food and Drug Administration

The federal agency responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals and medical devices to ensure safety and efficacy.

The details

The treatment involves a 16-minute infusion of CAR T-cells, which are genetically engineered to recognize and destroy cancer cells. During the 2018 infusion, Adami developed grade 4 neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome, a potent immune response triggered by the therapy, requiring the administration of tocilizumab for management. Her recovery involved a 36-day hospital stay following the procedure.

In 2012, Adami first learned about the existence of CAR T-cell therapy.
During 2018, Adami received the axicabtagene ciloleucel infusion.
On August 15, 2018, a PET-CT scan confirmed she was cancer-free.
In 2025, the FDA removed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for this therapy.
The CAR T Vision coalition set 2030 as the goal to double current patient volume.

Health Landscape

The ZUMA-5 clinical trial set a precedent for using CAR T-cell therapy to treat follicular lymphoma patients who have failed multiple prior therapies. This development reflects a broader shift toward increasing clinical access to complex cell therapies as the regulatory environment evolves.

If you or a loved one are facing recurrent lymphoma, it is worth discussing with your oncologist whether specialized cell therapies are appropriate for your specific diagnostic profile. Ask your care team about local proximity to certified treatment centers and how distance might impact your ability to receive care.

The takeaway

Achieving remission after multiple relapses often requires exploring advanced, specialized immunotherapies. Patients should maintain detailed records of their treatment history and discuss the risks of cytokine release syndrome with their care team if considering CAR T-cell therapy.