Patient Stories

Preclinical Human Studies

Jamie Grooms

Jamie Grooms, a 64-year-old medtech veteran, was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in 2021. Under the care of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, Jamie initially responded to treatment, but the outlook changed dramatically when a mutation was discovered that shifted his prognosis from favorable to poor. Despite three years of targeted therapy—including treatment with Calquence, a second-generation BTK inhibitor—he never achieved remission. By late 2023, his bone marrow still showed 20% tumor cell infiltration, and he was suffering from persistent fatigue, body pain, cognitive fog, and immune dysfunction.


On December 5, 2023, Jamie became the first patient to receive NKore’s investigational cell therapy, NK101—a single infusion of approximately 191 million supercharged NK cells. Post-treatment bloodwork indicated a rapid, favorable immune response with no adverse safety events. Most notably, his 90-day follow-up revealed early signs of partial remission after just one dose. Objective markers confirmed that NK101 had successfully targeted and eliminated tumor cells in the bone marrow, reduced disease burden, and partially restored immune system function. These early clinical results strongly correlate with Dr. Anahid Jewett’s preclinical findings and offer compelling evidence of NK101’s therapeutic potential.


A follow-up bone marrow aspirate performed on Day 58 post-infusion showed a 75% reduction in tumor cell infiltration, with only 5% minimal residual disease remaining—down from 20% prior to NK101 administration.


Jamie’s experience was not just clinical—it was transformational. After witnessing firsthand the power of NK cell therapy to reverse a disease that had previously resisted standard treatments, Jamie made a life-changing decision: he came out of retirement to lead the mission. Drawing from decades of experience founding and building successful medtech companies, Jamie stepped in as NKore’s Acting CEO, determined to ensure this breakthrough reaches other patients in need.


His story is not only a testament to the potential of NK cell therapy—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when science meets purpose.

Post first infusion, lymph nodes in the abdomen were imaged via CT scan with IV contrast, showed the tumors decreased in size from 21% to 70%. 

65%

Reduction

Left Periaortic Lymph Node

21%

Reduction

Left Mesenteric Lymph Node

24%

Reduction

Adjacent Left Mesenteric Lymph Node

66%

Reduction

Right External Iliac Lymph Node

70%

Reduction

Inferior Right External Iliac

Lymph Node

33%

Reduction

Left External Iliac Lymph Node

Clinical Scans Confirm Positive Clinical Response Post NK101 Infusion


First Infusion Results
A single, low dose infusion of NK101 was administered on Dec 5, 2023. 


No adverse safety events or side effects were reported.


A bone marrow aspirate collected on day 58 post-infusion measured 5% tumor cell infiltration in the bone marrow: a 75% reduction. 


Second Infusion Results

A second infusion was administered on July 10, 2024 and was increased by 83%  through a dose escalation approach.   


No adverse safety events or side effects were reported.

A bone marrow aspirate on day 88 post second infusion showed tumor cell infiltration in the bone marrow measured ~1%, a 95% reduction, and by day 238 that number reduced to 0.23%: a 99.89% reduction following NK101 therapy.


CT Scans Show Up to 70% Reduction After 1 Infusion