CD19 CAR-T With Axicabtagene Ciloleucel in R/R Large B-Cell Lymphoma With/Without Prior Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

Abstract

Background

Anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy has been a breakthrough in treatment of primary refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL) and is poised to supplant previous second line of high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT/ASCT). However, in clinical practice, high risk patients with chemoimmunotherapy sensitive disease continue to receive salvage chemoimmunotherapy or cannot access CAR-T in a timely manner and thus may still proceed to HDT/ASCT. Little is known about clinical outcomes of CAR-T in patients who receive HDT/ASCT compared to those who are transplant-naïve.

Design

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with r/r LBCL who previously underwent HDT/ASCT or were transplant-naïve (n = 97) and received axicabtagene ciloleucel after at least 2 prior therapy lines between 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2021. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and cumulative incidence of relapse/progression.

Results

82 (84.5%) patients were transplant-naïve and 15 (15.5%) previously received HDT/ASCT. No differences were found in the incidence of high-grade cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, length of hospital admission, or incidence of cytopenia at day 30. 90-day response, PFS, OS, cumulative incidence of relapse/progression, and NRM were not different. Factors that adversely affected outcomes were prior bridging therapy, elevated LDH or thrombocytopenia at time of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and worse ECOG performance status.

Conclusion

Prior treatment with HDT/ASCT does not compromise the safety and efficacy of anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy, suggesting a continued role for HDT/ASCT in treatment of select patients with r/r DLBCL.