Dr. Barata on Patient-Reported Toxicities With Axi-Cel at 1-Year of Follow-Up

Anna Barata, PhD, Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses patient-reported toxicities with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel; Yescarta) in patients 1-year post-infusion.

Findings from a survey-based study, which were presented in a virtual poster during the 2021 Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meetings, showed that most patients who received axi-cel continued to experience some degree of toxicity 360 days post-infusion, says Barata. Notably, patients cited fatigue, insomnia, memory problems, and aching muscles/joints as common toxicities. More patients reported any memory problems at day 360 compared with prior to axi-cel, says Barata. However, symptoms such as decreased appetite, dry mouth, and constipation were reportedly improved by day 360 compared with baseline.

As such, long-term screening for symptoms is important to ensure patients receive early supportive care as needed, concludes Barata.