--- title: "Sutter Enrolls First East Bay Patient in CAR T Trial | Sutter Health" description: "Sutter East Bay Medical Group enrolled its first patient in a CAR T cell therapy trial for lymphoma, expanding access to advanced cancer research." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/new-cellular-therapy-trial-expands-hope-for-east-bay-cancer-patients" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) / 3. New Cellular Therapy Trial Expands Hope For East Bay Cancer Patients # New Cellular Therapy Trial Expands Hope for Cancer Patients Sutter East Bay Medical Group enrolled its first patient in a CAR T cell therapy trial for lymphoma, expanding access to advanced cancer research. August 12, 2026 by Sutter Health ![New Cellular Therapy Trial Expands Hope for Cancer Patients](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/research-and-innovation/Cellular-Therapy-Group-pic-e1786573828629-59c71c30.jpeg?h=940&iar=0&w=1754 "New Cellular Therapy Trial Expands Hope for Cancer Patients") Pictured above: Sutter East Bay Medical Group Cellular Therapy Program team members. **Advanced cancer treatment brings innovative care and clinical research opportunities closer to home** _**By Pooja Nerkar, Vitals contributor**_ Sutter East Bay Medical Group physicians have enrolled the first patient in the Sutter Health system in a cellular therapy clinical trial, expanding access to an investigational treatment for East Bay patients with lymphoma who are at high risk of relapse. The patient was enrolled at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus in the ALPHA3 trial, sponsored by Allogene Therapeutics, NCT06500273. The trial is evaluating an investigational off-the-shelf CAR T cell therapy called cema-cel for patients with large B cell lymphoma who appear to be in remission but have evidence of minimal residual disease, or small traces of cancer in the blood detected through a simple blood test after chemotherapy. “This milestone reflects the growth of our Cellular Therapy Program and our commitment to bringing innovative cancer treatments closer to home,” said [**Dr. Oleg Krijanovski**](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sutterhealth.org%2Ffind-provider%2Fdr-oleg-i-krijanovski-1046241370&data=05%7C02%7Cleslie.bryant%40allogene.com%7Cbc55dbcec2194a25392c08def40d1870%7C4c82c0e2fb3940639ad8eeb18a279d40%7C0%7C0%7C639216534294474647%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uhvNB0aoiPx2LyuSrpt%2FZjzSmWdipbUjhMt454IAtO0%3D&reserved=0), hematologist with Sutter East Bay Medical Group, founder of Sutter Health’s Cellular Therapy Program and principal investigator of the ALPHA3 study. “Patients with minimal residual disease often have few options beyond close monitoring despite a high risk of relapse. This trial allows us to study whether earlier intervention with an off-the-shelf CAR T can improve outcomes while bringing leading-edge researchto patients in the East Bay.” ![Portrait of Kevin Knopf](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/research-and-innovation/24_SEBMF_Knopf_Kevin_HEMA_ONC_0014-print-225x300-534c15a6.jpg "Dr. Kevin Knopf, Sutter East Bay Medical Group") Although these patients may have no visible signs of disease, about 1 in 3 patients whose lymphoma goes into remission after initial treatment will have it return, usually within the first year.[\[1\]](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/new-cellular-therapy-trial-expands-hope-for-east-bay-cancer-patients#_ftn1) The patient was the first in the East Bay to enroll in the ALPHA3 clinical trial, which is designed to evaluate whether early treatment with CAR T therapy, before cancer can be detected on standard scans, may help prevent the disease from returning. Cellular therapy uses specially engineered immune cells to recognize and attack cancer. In the clinical trial, researchers are studying whether this investigational treatment can eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the disease returning. Unlike many cellular therapy programs that require hospitalization or referral to distant academic medical centers, Sutter delivers treatment in an outpatient setting, allowing East Bay patients to receive advanced care close to home. As the only center in the East Bay offering this type of cellular therapy, the program gives eligible patients access to an investigational treatment without the need to travel outside the region. ![Portrait of Dr. Laura Crocitto](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/research-and-innovation/2026_SEBMF_Crocitto_Laura_1053406819-105-print-1-225x300-94bbaa4e.jpg "Dr. Laura Crocitto, Sutter East Bay Medical Group") “This trial bridges the gap between today’s standard of care and the next generation of cancer treatment,” said [**Dr. Kevin Knopf**](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sutterhealth.org%2Ffind-provider%2Fdr-kevin-b-knopf-1046238794&data=05%7C02%7Cleslie.bryant%40allogene.com%7Cbc55dbcec2194a25392c08def40d1870%7C4c82c0e2fb3940639ad8eeb18a279d40%7C0%7C0%7C639216534294536304%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I%2BI2lN%2BSDA7%2BYRbXJLc8YCE7OHD3bi6Z96b3UU%2BKXo8%3D&reserved=0), medical oncologist with Sutter East Bay Medical Group and co-principal investigator of the ALPHA3 study. “For patients at high risk of relapse, it provides access to an investigational cellular therapy while allowing them to remain under the care of the oncology team they already know and trust.” “Delivering cellular therapy takes an extraordinary level of coordination across our clinical, research and operational teams,” said **[Dr. Laura Crocitto](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sutterhealth.org%2Ffind-provider%2Fdr-laura-e-crocitto-2061073625&data=05%7C02%7Cleslie.bryant%40allogene.com%7Cbc55dbcec2194a25392c08def40d1870%7C4c82c0e2fb3940639ad8eeb18a279d40%7C0%7C0%7C639216534294588851%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Qsrt7u%2Bz6gugZ%2FCKq2kQPUe8g9o2825BejqtHbw3RKs%3D&reserved=0),** executive medical director of oncology services at Sutter East Bay Medical Group. “This milestone reflects Sutter Health’s continued investment in expanding access to advanced cancer care and creating more opportunities for patients to participate in innovative clinical research close to home.” Although cellular therapy has transformed treatment for some advanced blood cancers, including certain lymphomas and multiple myeloma, access remains limited. Many patients who may benefit from these potentially life-saving treatments are unable to receive them due to limited availability, infrastructure and geographic barriers. By expanding its outpatient cellular therapy program and offering clinical trials, Sutter Health is helping more East Bay patients access emerging therapies closer to home. [\[1\]](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/new-cellular-therapy-trial-expands-hope-for-east-bay-cancer-patients#_ftnref1) Tilly H, Morschhauser F, Sehn LH, et al. Polatuzumab vedotin in previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(4):351-363. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2115304. [LINK](https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2115304) ## Topics [Leukemia and Lymphomas](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Leukemia+and+Lymphomas%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma cancer Blood cancers affect your immune system and your body's ability to fight illness. If you're facing leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, our cancer specialists can provide precise diagnosis, advanced treatments and coordinated care. [Learn more about Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/leukemia-lymphoma-myeloma-cancer) ## Related articles ### [Caregivers Support a Special Patient Wedding](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/love-and-resilience-caregivers-support-a-special-patient-wedding) ### [From Diagnosis to Progress: A Clinical Trial Gives Hope](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/from-diagnosis-to-progress-a-clinical-trial-gives-hope) ### [Cellular Immunotherapy Brings Hope to Patients with Cancer](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/cellular-immunotherapy-brings-hope-to-patients-with-cancer) ### [Lymphoma Patient’s Hopes Boosted by New Blood Cancer Therapy](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/lymphoma-patients-hopes-boosted-by-new-blood-cancer-therapy) [See all from Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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