Team Effort Is Needed to Expand CAR T-Cell Therapy Access for LBCL

Collaboration between treatment centers and community partners is necessary for expanding access to “revolutionary therapy” with CAR T cells among patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), according to David L. Porter, MD.

In a conversation with CancerNetwork^® during the 2024 Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meetings, Porter, the director of Cell Therapy and Transplant at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, spoke about findings from a community oncologist roundtable that aimed to develop a framework for CAR T-cell consultation, particularly among those with LBCL.

Porter emphasized that his colleagues at both academic and community centers should work together to refer patients early for treatment with CAR T cells. The roundtable members coined the slogan “If they RECUR, you should refer” to capture their philosophy of identifying patients who may be suitable for CAR T-cell consultation as soon as possible.

Transcript:

I hope first and foremost that my colleagues in the community who maybe don’t administer CAR T cells take away that they should refer patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, number one. That that was the primary tenet: "If they RECUR, you should refer." [They should also] allow the centers with expertise and experience to evaluate the patient and determine eligibility and appropriateness.

But I also think that my colleagues at the academic centers should take away the importance of close communication with those community physicians and community caregivers, and to make sure that this is a team effort. It will require a team effort to get the patient to access the treatment center, and it will require a team effort to return the patient back to those community practices. The treatment center can provide excellent care and management, but they can also provide excellent consultation and education and be a resource for those practices to learn from and to lean on once the patient goes back to the community. Early referral is important. The "U" in RECUR stood for "urgency to recommend consult." We think the sooner a patient gets into the treatment center, the more likely they will be able to access the treatment. The sooner they access it, the safer it may be, and the more effective it may be. They should refer, and they should refer early. The treatment center should work closely with their community partners. If we do this, we can significantly provide better and more access to patients who may benefit from this revolutionary therapy.

Reference

Riedell PA, Downs C, Boehmer L, Ebmeier J, Porter D, Williams A. If They RECUR, you should refer: a community oncologist patient ID roundtable summary. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. 2024;30(1):14-16. doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2023.10.019