Researchers analyzing Kite Pharma’s Yescarta (axi-cel) trial data identified genetic signatures associated with CAR-T toxicity risk, with results published in Science Immunology. The study led by Massachusetts General Hospital oncologist Mark Leick traced toxicity patterns to DNA features carried into autologous CAR-T cells. Using data from the Zuma-1 and Zuma-7 trials, the team highlighted STXBP2 mutations in Zuma-1 patients as a standout toxicity-related signal, while noting the association did not appear in Zuma-7. Investigators are also probing a gene tied to the ability of CAR-T cells to replicate in the body, aiming to inform safer engineering strategies.