Long-term outcomes and late toxicities of CAR T-cell therapy in large B-cell lymphoma

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have rapidly become an integral part of the treatment landscape for relapsed or refractory lymphomas. While early clinical trials demonstrated impressive response rates in patients with multiply relapsed disease and improved outcomes in those with disease refractory to first-line treatments, subsequent longer follow-up has revealed the occurrence of both early and late relapses, as well as the emergence of delayed toxicities.

Ten years after the initiation of the pivotal phase I/II trials that led to the approval of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapies for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), extended follow-up data is now available. This review focuses on the long-term outcomes and toxicities of these therapies, as well as challenges to durable responses and future directions.

Long-term follow-up has confirmed the curative potential of CAR T-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory LBCL. Toxicities are generally manageable, and although infections remain an important cause of non-relapse mortality, standardized prophylactic approaches can mitigate risk. Advances in CAR T-cell engineering and administration are likely to enhance treatment effectiveness, expand indications, and improve patient outcomes.