Impact of age on outcomes after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for large B-cell lymphomas

Age may influence clinical outcomes after CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. Real-world data on the survival and toxicity outcomes of older patients receiving CAR-T therapy are limited. We used data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research for adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received CAR-T therapy from May 2018 to June 2020. Cumulative incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were reported. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed using age as a continuous variable and among 4 age groups: 18 to 54, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, and ≥75 years. Nearly half (44%) of 1916 total recipients were aged ≥65 years. Patients received either axicabtagene ciloleucel (75%) or tisagenlecleucel (25%). Overall rates of CRS and ICANS were 75% and 43%, and severe rates of CRS and ICANS were 9% and 21%, respectively. For all patients, 12-month overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and relapse rates were 62%, 42%, and 55%, respectively. As a continuous variable, older age did not affect OS, PFS, and CRS; however, the risk of ICANS increased with age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; <i>P</i> < .001). At age >64 years, risk for ICANS increases (HR, 1.65;95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-2.1; <i>P</i> < .001). In a categorical analysis, the 65 to 74-year age group had lower relapse risk (HR, 0.77;95% CI, 0.64-0.93; <i>P</i> = .005) than younger patients. CD19 CAR-T therapy is effective for older adults, and older age does not worsen mortality. Older age is associated with higher ICANS risk and should guide patient selection.