Assessing readmission after axicabtagene ciloleucel immunotherapy.

Abstract

3024 Background: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an FDA approved CD19 targeted CAR-T for patients (pts) with diffuse-large-B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after 2 lines of treatment. Pts are monitored inpatient for minimum 7 days after CAR-T infusion but remain at risk of complications after discharge that can lead to readmission. We report our institutional experience on the rate and etiology of readmissions after initial discharge. Methods: In this retrospective study, readmission was defined as an inpatient stay greater than 48 hours while under the auspice of the Immunotherapy service. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (NT) were graded based on the Lee and CTC v.4 criteria, respectively. Logistic regression models were used to study the association between clinical factors and readmission. Results: 44 pts received axi-cel. Median age was 62 (25-79). 33 pts (75%) had primary refractory disease and 14 (30%) had prior transplant. Pts had median 3 lines (2 -9) of treatment before axi-cel. Median time from most recent treatment to leukapheresis was 10 weeks (0.5-109). 22 pts (48%) received bridging therapy between leukapheresis and lymphodepletion (LD). Median duration of initial planned admission was 7.5 days (6-16). Incidence of CRS was 88% (all grades) and 12% (grade 3/4). Median time to start of CRS was 3 days (0-13). Incidence of NT was 61% (all grades) and 16% (grade 3/4) and median time to NT was 6 days (3-14). 6 pts (14%) were readmitted after initial hospitalization (1 had 2 readmissions). Median day of readmission was 13 (9-25). Median duration of subsequent hospitalization was 5 days (2-31). Reasons for readmission were: infection (2), CRS (2), GI bleed (1), progressive disease (PD) (1) and NT (1). 4 of 6 pts had no CRS or NT before readmission. 2 of the 4 were readmitted on days 9 and 13 for NT. The other 2 pts were readmitted for infection and GI bleed. 1 pt had grade 2 CRS and grade 2 NT during first admission and was readmitted on day 25 for PD. Last pt had grade 2 CRS and grade 3 NT during first admission with discharge day 13, readmission day 14 through day 17 with recurrent NT and second readmission day 30 for infection. 3 of 6 pts had ICU admissions during second admissions. There was no association between pre- and post- CAR-T variables and risk of readmission in multivariable models. Conclusions: Readmissions after discharge from initial planned hospitalization for axi-cel are not uncommon. This data supports our current policy of close monitoring until at least a month after CAR-T therapy and supports the requirement of a full-time caregiver until discharge from the Immunotherapy service.