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Aim: Characterize the logistical challenges faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients and caregivers during the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) treatment process for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.Materials & methods: HCPs in the US and UK experienced with CAR T administration participated in interviews and completed a web-based survey.Results: A total of 133 (80 US, 53 UK) HCPs participated. Two or more logistical challenges were identified by ≥60% of respondents across all stages of the CAR T process. Commonly reported challenges were lengthy waiting periods, administrative and payer-related barriers, limited healthcare capacity, caregiver support and (particularly in the US) patient out-of-pocket costs.Conclusion: The CAR T treatment process presents numerous challenges, highlighting an unmet need for more convenient therapies.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy is a new treatment for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that have not responded to other types of treatment. CAR T therapy uses a person's own immune cells (T cells), which are modified in a laboratory to attack cancer cells. While CAR T therapy has the potential to be effective, there are challenges associated with the treatment process. In this study, we surveyed 133 healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the United States and United Kingdom to understand their experiences with logistical challenges involved in navigating the CAR T process. More than 60% of participants identified two or more logistical challenges at every stage of the CAR T treatment process. The most commonly reported challenges included long waiting periods, limited room at hospitals, availability of caregivers to support patients and issues related to out-of-pocket costs, travel and lodging for patients who are treated at specialized centers. In the United States, challenges related to insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs for patients were highlighted. More than half of HCPs reported that patients' cancer getting worse while waiting to receive CAR T was a reason why patients may not proceed to treatment. While operational improvements might address some challenges in the CAR T treatment process, these findings highlight the need for more convenient, readily available and easily administered therapies for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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INTRODUCTION: Despite new therapies for relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), treatments with chemotherapy, single-agent rituximab/obinutuzumab, single-agent lenalidomide, or combinations of these agents continue to be commonly used. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized longitudinal data from 4226 real-world electronic health records to characterize outcomes in patients with R/R DLBCL. Eligible patients were diagnosed with DLBCL between January 2010 and March 2022 and had R/R disease treated with ≥ 1 prior systemic line of therapy (LOT), including ≥ 1 anti-CD20-containing regimen. RESULTS: A total of 573 patients treated with ≥ 1 prior LOT were included (31.2% and 13.4% with ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 prior LOTs, respectively). Median duration of follow-up was 7.7 months. Most patients (57.1%) were male; mean standard deviation (SD) age was 63 (14.7) years. Overall and complete response rates (95% confidence interval (CI) were 52% (48-56) and 23% (19-27). Median duration of response and duration of complete response were 3.5 and 18.4 months. Median progression-free and overall survival (95% CI) was 3.0 (2.8-3.3) and 12.9 (10.1-16.9) months, respectively. Patients with a higher number of prior LOTs, primary refractoriness, refractoriness to last LOT, refractoriness to last anti-CD20-containing regimen, and prior CAR T exposure had worse outcomes (i.e., challenging-to-treat R/R DLBCL) compared with those without these characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in patients with R/R DLBCL treated with chemotherapy, single-agent rituximab/obinutuzumab, single-agent lenalidomide, or combinations of these agents remain poor, especially for those with challenging-to-treat R/R DLBCL. These findings underscore the unmet need for new, safe, and effective therapies, especially for challenging-to-treat R/R DLBCL populations.