Optimizing the post-CAR T monitoring period for axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel, and lisocabtagene maraleucel

In a retrospective analysis, researchers evaluated real-world data on cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) onset and duration as well as causes of non-relapse mortality following CAR T-cell therapy treatment. They found that for the CAR T-cell therapies that were studied, new-onset CRS and ICANS is rare after 2 weeks, suggesting that a flexible monitoring period beyond 14 days may be safe. Non-relapse mortality was driven by ICANS until day 28 and then by infection beyond that time period, supporting the need for monitoring patients for late effects and complications.