The academic point‐of‐care anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell product varnimcabtagene autoleucel (ARI‐0001 cells) shows efficacy and safety in the treatment of relapsed/refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

SummaryVarnimcabtagene autoleucel (var‐cel) is an academic anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) product used for the treatment of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the CART19‐BE‐01 trial. Here we report updated outcomes of patients with NHL treated with var‐cel. B‐cell recovery was compared with patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Forty‐five patients with NHL were treated. Cytokine release syndrome (any grade) occurred in 84% of patients (4% grade ≥3) and neurotoxicity in 7% (2% grade ≥3). The objective response rate was 73% at Day +100, and the 3‐year duration of response was 56%. The 3‐year progression‐free and overall survival were 40% and 52% respectively. High lactate dehydrogenase was the only covariate with an impact on progression‐free survival. The 3‐year incidence of B‐cell recovery was lower in patients with NHL compared to ALL (25% vs. 60%). In conclusion, in patients with NHL, the toxicity of var‐cel was manageable, while B‐cell recovery was significantly prolonged compared to ALL. This trial was registered as NCT03144583.