Exploring CAR-T Updates in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In a cobranded episode between Oncology On the Go, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy’s (ASTCT) program ASTCT Talks, Terri Lynn Shigle, PharmD, BCOP, hosted Vinita Pai, PharmD, MS, BCPPS, who spoke about the use of CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric patients, focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After a brief overview of progress in the cellular therapy field and pediatrics’ first and only FDA-approved CAR-T product since 2017, their discussion explored the following:

·      Review of real-world practice and outcomes in ALL

·      Pediatric practical challenges including logistics, leukapheresis and lymphodepletion chemotherapy

·      Strategies for managing cell therapy toxicities in pediatric patients

·      Considerations for survivorship and long-term toxicities

·      Gaps in pediatric care and future directions

The discussion highlighted the unique challenges of treating pediatric patients, paucity of data, and need for continued exploration of cellular therapy treatment not only in ALL, but other underlying diagnoses. 

Shigle is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Department at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Pai is an associate clinical professor in the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science at The Ohio State University.

Reference

O'Leary MC, Lu X, Huang Y, et al. FDA approval summary: tisagenlecleucel for treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Cancer Res. 2019;25(4):1142-1146. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-2035