P07.01 CD19 CAR T-cells for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma: real-world data from LMU Munich

BackgroundThe anti-CD19 CAR T-cell products Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-cel) and Tisagenlecleucel have been approved by the EMA for the treatment of patients (pts) with relapse/refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in August 2018. In clinical trials, both cell products induced ongoing complete responses in heavily pretreated patients. However, this activity was associated with significant toxicity. We evaluated the outcomes of DLBCL pts treated with Axi-cel and Tisagenlecleucel at the LMU Munich.Materials and MethodsCAR T cell product characteristics, toxicity and response rates of pts treated at our center between January and October 2019 were retrospectively assessed.ResultsAs of October 2019, 24 out of 34 r/r DLBCL pts (71%) with confirmed CAR T cell treatment indication were leukapheresed. Four apheresed pts died before CAR T cell therapy due to rapidly progressive disease. So far, 17 DLBCL pts have been treated. Median age was 60 years (range 19–74). ECOG was 0–1 in eleven, and 2–3 in six pts. Eight pts had undergone prior stem cell transplant (6 autologous, 2 allogeneic SCT). 13 pts received bridging chemotherapy between leukapheresis and CAR T cell transfusion. Only 6 (35%) of the 17 transfused pts would have met the inclusion criteria of the pivotal clinical trials (JULIET, ZUMA-1).CRS occurred in all pts (53% CRS °1, 29% °2 and 18% °3) with a median onset on day 2 (range days 0–7) and a median duration of 4 days (range 1–21). Tocilizumab was administered at least once in all pts. Ten pts (59%) experienced Immune Effector Cell associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS, 30% °1, 10% °2, 30% °3, 20% °4 and 10% °5) with a median onset between day 7 and 8 and a median duration of 8 days (range 3–49). Cytopenia was significant following CAR T-cell treatment: all but one pts had neutropenia