Role of anakinra in the management of icans after CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma.

Abstract

e19506 Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy is a revolutionary treatment modality which has gained attention for its potential in treating multiple refractory hematological malignancies. Significant toxicities associated with CAR T- cell therapy remain a major concern. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and Immune Effector Cell Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) are seen early on post CAR-T cell therapy. To date, the treatment of ICANS has largely been limited to supportive care and corticosteroids. More recently, some early clinical data investigated the use of Anakinra as a promising agent in prevention and treatment of severe ICANS. Methods: We analyze three cases in which Anakinra was used to treat high-grade ICANS concurrently with high dose steroids. Results: A 51-year-old woman with high grade DLBCL and secondary CNS involvement was treated with Tisagenlecleucel CAR-T therapy. On day 2, patient became altered and was diagnosed with ICANS Grade II. High dose steroids were started leading to resolution of ICANS. However, patient’s mentation worsened by day 7, progressing to ICANS Grade IV by day 8, and Anakinra 100 mg IV was added to the steroid regimen. By day 11, after 4 doses of Anakinra, patient’s neurotoxicity completely resolved. Patient achieved a PR by day 30 after CAR-T cell infusion. In the second case, a 65-year-old man with DLBCL and leptomeningeal involvement developed ICANS Grade II on day 1 after Tisagenlecleucel CAR-T therapy and was started on high dose steroids. By day 4, neurotoxicity worsened and progressed to ICANS Grade IV. On day 5 patient was transferred to ICU for a mechanical ventilation, and Anakinra 100 mg IV was added and continued daily for 7 days. By day 12, neurotoxicity improved to ICANS grade II and patient was extubated. Meanwhile, high dose steroids were tapered. His condition acutely worsened by day 19, prompting transfer to the ICU and re-initiation of Anakinra concurrently with steroids. His family decided against further escalation of care on day 22. Patient was transitioned to comfort care and died 23 days post CAR-T cell infusion. In the third case, a 65-year-old man with mantle cell lymphoma was treated with Brexucabtagene autoleucel CAR-T therapy. On day 8, patient developed ICANS Grade I which rapidly progressed to Grade IV. High dose steroids were started and ICANS improved to Grade II on Day 9. However, on Day 10 patient’s mentation again worsened and one dose of Anakinra 100mg IV was added to the steroid regimen. By day 11, ICANS completely resolved, and patient was ultimately discharged home on day 15. Patient was able to achieve interval CR by day 30 after CAR-T cell infusion. Conclusions: In the reported cases, ICANS improved following administration of Anakinra, adding support to the idea that Anakinra may be beneficial in treatment of high-grade ICANS. Future studies are needed to better understand the overall efficacy and the ideal timeline for administration.