LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA — DLBCL is the most common type of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Standard first-line treatment of DLBCL consists of the combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). The risk of relapse is highest within one year following treatment.

THE PROCEDURE — Lisocabtagene maraleucel is prepared from autologous T cells obtained by leukapheresis. The T cells are sent to a commercial laboratory, which genetically modifies them using a lentiviral vector to encode an anti-CD19 CAR transgene. Breyanzi is supplied in a patient-specific, single-dose infusion bag. Before infusion of the genetically modified T cells, patients usually receive lymphodepleting therapy (cyclophosphamide and fludarabine).

MECHANISM OF ACTION — The genetically modified, autologous T cells bind to CD19 proteins on the surface of B cells, promoting T-cell activation and proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, which leads to T-cell-mediated destruction of cancer cells.

CLINICAL STUDIES — FDA approval of lisocabtagene maraleucel was based on the results of three open-label trials (TRANSFORM, PILOT, and TRANSCEND). In the TRANSFORM trial, 184 adults with primary refractory or early relapsed (≤12 months) LBCL who were eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation were randomized to receive lisocabtagene maraleucel or standard treatment (3 cycles of platinum-based immunotherapy, followed by high-dose chemotherapy and, in responders, autologous stem cell transplantation). Event-free survival, the primary endpoint, was 2.4 months in the standard treatment arm and was not yet reached in the lisocabtagene maraleucel arm. The complete response rate was statistically significantly higher with lisocabtagene maraleucel (74% vs 43%).2

In the PILOT trial, 61 transplant-ineligible patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL treated with one prior line of chemoimmunotherapy received lisocabtagene maraleucel. The overall response rate, the primary endpoint, was 80%, of which 54% were complete responses.3

In the TRANSCEND trial, 269 patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL treated with ≥2 lines of prior therapy received lisocabtagene maraleucel. The objective response rate was 73% and a complete response was achieved in 53% of patients.4

No head-to-head trials comparing lisocabtagene maraleucel with axicabtagene ciloleucel or tisagenlecleucel for treatment of large B-cell lymphoma are available.

ADVERSE EFFECTS — Fever, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea have been reported with lisocabtagene maraleucel. The Breyanzi label includes a boxed warning about the risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a common complication of CAR T-cell immunotherapy that can cause hypotension, pulmonary edema, coagulopathy, multiorgan failure and death, and about the risk of neurologic toxicity, including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). CRS has been successfully treated with the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab (Actemra), with or without corticosteroids. Patients should avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities for at least 8 weeks after receiving Breyanzi.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION — Lisocabtagene maraleucel has not been studied in pregnant or lactating females and is not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There are no data on the presence of lisocabtagene maraleucel in human breast milk or its effect on the breastfed infant or milk production.

DOSAGE, ADMINISTRATION, AND COST — Two to seven days after completing a 3-day regimen of lymphodepleting chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, patients receive an infusion of 90-100 x 106 (for patients who received one line of prior therapy) or 50-110 x 106 (for patients who received ≥2 lines of prior therapy) CAR-positive viable T cells/kg. The CAR-positive viable T cells contain CD8 and CD4 components; the CD8 component should be infused first. Patients should receive acetaminophen and an antihistamine about 30-60 minutes before the infusion. They should be monitored at the treatment facility for 7 days after the infusion and stay near the treatment facility for at least 4 weeks. The wholesale aquisition cost for one dose of Breyanzi is about $447,230 for the drug alone.5