Improving outcomes and mitigating costs associated with CAR T-cell therapy

Since the historic approval of tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have altered the treatment paradigm for hematologic malignancies. Five CAR T-cell products are now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a growing number of cancer indications and a global market worth billions is anticipated in the next 5 years. While uptake of CAR T-cell therapy is rapidly ramping up, there remain significant barriers to effective implementation and patient access, not least their price tag and substantial ancillary costs of care. CAR T-cell therapies currently have the potential to be cost-effective; however, improved safety and efficacy, outpatient administration, and a streamlined manufacturing process could make them even more so. In the meantime, payers and providers are tasked with facing the logistical complexities of CAR T-cell therapy and developing new payment and reimbursement strategies to ensure value-based care and optimal access today.