In a nutshell
The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of lisocabtagene maraleucel (Liso-cel) in treating patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL). The authors found that liso-cel achieved fast and lasting remission with fewer toxicities in such patients.
Some background
Patients with r/r-LBCL experience cancer’s return and/or fail to respond to treatment. Liso-cel is an engineered immune cell capable of killing cancer cells. It improved outcomes and extended remission in patients with some types of LBCL. Remission refers to the disappearance of cancer symptoms after therapy. However, data from all types of LBCL, especially from high-risk (HR) or older patients are lacking.
Methods & findings
The study included 256 adult patients with r/r-LBCL. They received 3 different doses of liso-cel. On average, patients had 3 rounds of therapy before starting liso-cel. The average follow-up was 18.8 months.
Overall, an objective response (OR) was achieved by 73% of patients including HR patients. HR consisted of patients aged 65 or older and with more aggressive cancer. 53% of the patients had a complete response (CR). CR defines the absence of all cancer symptoms.
Duration of response (DoR) defines the time during which patients respond to therapy without cancer progression. 55% of total patients and 65% of patients with CR were estimated to have a 1-year of DoR. 44% of all patients and 65% of patients with CR survived for 1 year without cancer’s progression.
Among severe medical events, 60% of patients reported a low level of white blood cells that fight off infections (neutrophils). 37% experienced low red blood cells and 27% had low platelets. Liso-cel caused unwanted neurological events in 30% of patients. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), an acute inflammation, occurred in 42% of patients.
The bottom line
The study concluded that liso-cel achieved fast and lasting remission in patients with r/r-LBCL, including HR patients.
The fine print
This study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb, the manufacturer of liso-cel.
Published By :
Lancet (London, England)
Date :
Sep 01, 2020
