Dr. Maloney on the Value of CAR T Cells in Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive Lymphomas

David G. Maloney, MD, PhD, medical director of the Immunotherapy Clinic and Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discusses the value of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphomas.

Many studies are currently trying to move CAR T-cell therapy forward in the treatment landscape, and 3 randomized trials are challenging the role of transplant after first relapse. Maloney says the trials show that tumor burden matters, so physicians should refer patients to centers that have access to either of the 2 approved CAR T-cell therapies.

Trials have also shown that patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy before widespread bulky disease, they will have a higher response duration. If we can treat the lowest disease burden with CAR T cells, Maloney says we will see better outcomes, longer survival, and a greater chance of remission 2 years later.