Real World of Experience Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Spain

Background: Axicabtagen Ciloleucel (axi-cel) is approved in Europe for the treatment of adults with R/R large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) and transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL). In Spain, nationwide CAR-T administration requests are reviewed centrally within the Ministry of Health. We analyzed the real-world outcomes of patients treated with axicel under the commercial label in Spanish centers. Methods: Six designated centers for commercial CAR-T administration collected data on behalf of GETH-GELTAMO. Data were collected retrospectively from consecutive patients in whom apheresis was performed for axi-cel treatment from Febrruary-2019 to November-2020. CRS and ICANS were graded with the ASTCT consensus criteria. Response was assessed according to the Lugano criteria. Results: 106 patients with R/R lymphoma underwent apheresis for axi-cel. At data cutoff, 92 (87%) received infusion. The reasons for not undergoing infusion were progression-related death in 12 (86%), tumor lysis syndrome in 1 (7%) and complete response after bridging therapy in 1 (7%). Of note, 14 patients were conditioned and infused during the peak of COVID-19 epidemic in Spain (March-April 2020). Median time from Ministry approval to infusion was 54 days. Histology consisted of 74% DLBCL with 11% tFL, and 15% PMBCL. Disease status at lymphodepletion was PD in 69%, SD in 22% and PR in 9%. All patients received lymphodepletion. Median time from leukapheresis to start of lymphodepletion was 34 days. Median time from leukapheresis to infusion was 39 days. Median hospitalization period was 21 days. Any grade of CRS occurred in 86% of pts (18% grade 2, 6.5% grades 3-4). Tocilizumab was used in 58% of patients who developed CRS, corticosteroids in 19%. ICANS was diagnosed in 42.5% of pts (10% grade 2, 15% grade 3-4). Treatment for ICANS included corticosteroids in 78%, tocilizumab in 31%, siltuximab in 15%, and anakinra in 21%. ICU admission was needed in 20 patients (22%). 4 patients died in the context of ICANS, 1 due to CRS, and 1 due to infection. Of 80 patients evaluable and restaged at day 30, ORR was 78% with 40% CR, 38% PR, 11% PD and 11% SD or indeterminate. Of 58 patients evaluable at day 100, 66% had ongoing response (CR 48%, PR 18%). Of 23 patients evaluable at day 180, 65% presented CR. Of 39 patients who showed PR/SD at day 30, 9 (23%) converted to CR. After a median follow-up of 6.3 months, EFS and OS were 55.5% and 78%, respectively in the infused population, with an estimated median EFS and OS of 13.1 and 7.3 months. In the intention-to-treat analysis for all patients who underwent apheresis, median estimated OS and EFS were 12.3 (95%CI 8.9-15.7) and 6.6 months (95%CI 4.6-8.5), respectively (Figure 1). Conclusions: This Spanish multicenter retrospective analysis shows encouraging results of axi-cell treatment in patients with R/R aggressive B-cell lymphoma in the real-world setting. Significant toxicity events were less frequent than those reported in the pivotal trial, however events of mortality associated to toxicity occurred. With a limited follow-up time, response outcomes are favorable.