CAR T-cell therapy is an advanced treatment that helps your immune system fight the lymphoma. It involves collecting your own immune cells and sending them to the lab to be modified, so they can better recognise the lymphoma. They are then reinfused back into your body ready to find and attack the lymphoma cells.
Previously, Yescarta®, a CAR T-cell therapy by Gilead, was only available as a 3rd line treatment for people with refractory or relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). This meant you would have had to have had 2 different treatments for the DLBCL before being eligible for CAR T-cell therapy.
Who can have CAR T-cell therapy in 2nd line?
There are certain requirements that need to be met. These include:
- The lymphoma has not responded to your first-line treatment, and you have not achieved remission, or
- You went into remission after first-line treatment, but your lymphoma relapsed (came back) within 12 months, and
- You are medically able to cope with the treatment – you will need tests to check your kidney, heart and lung function, and
- Your lymphoma needs to be stable enough to:
- ensure safe collection of your own T-cells, and
- wait the time it takes for the CAR T-cells to be modified in a laboratory, and
- be well enough for the treatment once they are sent back to your treatment centre (up to 6 weeks).
- There are other things to consider when looking at your eligibility for CAR T-cell treatment. Your haematologist will be able to talk to you about these.
What does this mean?
This change means more people can benefit from CAR T-cell therapy earlier. Accessing this treatment earlier may improve outcomes for patients whose lymphoma has not responded to first-line treatment, or have had their DLBCL relapse after only one-line of treatment.
Ask your doctor if CAR T-cell therapy would be a good option for you.
Summary
- Previously, CAR T-cell therapy was only available to people who had not responded to 2 lines of treatment or whose DLBCL had relapsed twice. Now YESCARTA® is available after only one prior treatment.
- CAR-T-cell therapy is an advanced treatment that modifies your own immune T-cells to help them fight the lymphoma.
- It is not suitable for all people. Ask your doctor if CAR T-cell therapy could be a good option for you.
- With earlier access to CAR T-cell therapy it is hoped more people will have better outcomes from their treatment for DLBCL.
