# Management of inpatient chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies: an analysis using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database

## TL;DR

This study analyzes real-world data from Japan to understand how adverse events are managed in patients receiving CAR-T therapy for B-cell cancers.

## Contribution

The study provides new real-world evidence on perioperative management strategies for CAR-T therapy in Japan.

## Key findings

- Tocilizumab was used in over half of LBCL patients for cytokine release syndrome.
- Steroids were administered to a higher proportion of B-ALL patients compared to LBCL patients.
- Most patients received fungal infection prophylaxis during CAR-T infusion.

## Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has shown remarkable efficacy in treating relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies, as supported by real-world evidence (RWE). However, limited RWE exists on the management of adverse events during the perioperative period following CAR-T infusion. This study was conducted to obtain RWE on perioperative management using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a comprehensive repository of Japanese health and medical service data. Between November 2019 and March 2022, 388 patients received CAR-T therapy. Of these, 312 had large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and 76 had B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The number of CAR-T infusions increased every 6-month interval, correlating with the rise in LBCL cases. Tocilizumab was administered for cytokine release syndrome in 56.1% of LBCL and 42.1% of B-ALL patients. Steroids were used for 22.9% and 81.3%, respectively. Prophylaxis for fungal infections was administered during CAR-T infusion in most LBCL and B-ALL patients. Treatment intensity was escalated in 2.8% of LBCL and 7.0% of B-ALL patients, and treatment for cytomegalovirus infection was initiated in approximately 7% of patients. This analysis elucidated perioperative management strategies based on patients’ medication histories.