Sequential different B-cell antigen-targeted CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric refractory/relapsed Burkitt lymphoma

Single antigen-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy maybe insufficient to induce a durable response in pediatric aggressive B-cell lymphomas. This clinical trial examined the feasibility of sequential different B-cell antigen-targeted CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric relapsed/refractory (R/R) Burkitt lymphoma. Twenty-three patients received the first CD19 CAR T-cell infusion. The patients who did not achieve an ongoing complete response (CR) underwent 1 or more sequential infusions of CAR T-cell therapy that targeted CD22 followed by CD20 according to their disease status and CAR T-cell persistence after each infusion. The median time from the last infusion to the cutoff date was 17 months (range, 15-23 months). The estimated 18-month CR rate was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-91%). The estimated 18-month progression-free survival rate was 78% (95% CI, 55%-90%), with 78% (95% CI, 37%-94%) in patients with bulky disease and 60% (95% CI, 25%-83%) in patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. During the first CD19 CAR T-cell infusion, grade $3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 34.8% and neurotoxicity occurred in 21.7% of all patients. During subsequent infusions, there were only a few incidences of grade .2 CRS and neurotoxicity. All adverse events were reversible. The severity of neurotoxicity was not significantly different between patients with CNS involvement and those who did not have CNS involvement. Sequential CAR T-cell therapy may result in a durable response and is safe in pediatric R/R Burkitt lymphoma. Patients with CNS involvement may benefit from sequential CAR T-cell therapy. This trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx as #ChiCTR1800014457.

Automated summary

Sequential CAR T-cell therapy targeting different B-cell antigens appears to be a feasible and effective approach for pediatric relapsed/refractory Burkitt lymphoma, leading to durable response rates and high progression-free survival rates.