Tisagenlecleucel - the first approved CAR-T-cell therapy: implications for payers and policy makers

On 30th August 2017, tisagenlecleucel became the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy to be approved by the FDA. This approval has important implications for health-care systems because the use of this promising treatment presents considerable logistical, toxicological, and financial challenges. Moreover, the high price tag of US$475,000 is questionable, considering the major role of US taxpayers in covering the development, delivery, and supportive-care costs of this treatment.