HEALTH PROFESSIONAL · SOURCE READING
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
Source: Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 14, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
CAR T-cell therapy, with the autologous anti-CD19 therapeutics axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel), or tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel), has been approved for patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of prior therapy.
Evidence (CAR T-cell therapy):
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
With a median follow-up of 41.7 months, the overall response rate was 92% (95% CI, 85%–97%), and the complete response rate was 74%.
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
The 18-month PFS rate was 64.8% (95% CI, 54.2%–73.5%).[29][Level of evidence C2]
Source links and citations
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
The median PFS was 40.2 months for patients with follicular lymphoma and was not reached for patients with marginal zone lymphoma.[30][Level of evidence C2]
Source links and citations
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 78% of patients and was grade 3 or 4 in 6% of patients.
In a phase II trial, 159 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (n = 127), marginal zone lymphoma (n = 31), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1) received axi-cel.[29,30]
Tocilizumab was required in 50% of all patients, and 5% required vasopressors. Grade 3 or 4 neurological events occurred in 15% of patients.
In a phase II trial, 98 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of prior therapy received anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy with tisa-cel.[31]
Source links and citations
In a phase II trial, 98 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of prior therapy received anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy with tisa-cel.[31]
With a median follow-up of 16.6 months, the complete response rate was 69.1% (95% CI, 58.8%–78.3%), and the overall response rate was 86.2% (95% CI, 77.5%–92.4%).[31][Level of evidence C3]
Source links and citations
In a phase II trial, 98 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of prior therapy received anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy with tisa-cel.[31]
Grade 3 or 4 cytokine release syndrome occurred in 48.5% of patients, and 37.1% had grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity.
A phase II trial (NCT04245839) included 130 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who had received two or more prior lines of therapy. Patients had high-risk features (progression of disease within 24 months after first-line chemoimmunotherapy or disease refractory to rituximab and alkylators). Patients received liso-cel.[32]
Source links and citations
A phase II trial (NCT04245839) included 130 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who had received two or more prior lines of therapy. Patients had high-risk features (progression of disease within 24 months after first-line chemoimmunotherapy or disease refractory to rituximab and alkylators). Patients received liso-cel.[32]
With a median follow-up of 18.9 months, the overall response rate was 97% (95% CI, 91.6%–99.4%), and the complete response rate was 94% (95% CI, 87.5%–97.8%).[32][Level of evidence C3]
Source links and citations
A phase II trial (NCT04245839) included 130 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who had received two or more prior lines of therapy. Patients had high-risk features (progression of disease within 24 months after first-line chemoimmunotherapy or disease refractory to rituximab and alkylators). Patients received liso-cel.[32]
Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 56% of patients and was grade 3 or higher in 1% of patients. Neurological side effects occurred in 15% of patients and was grade 3 or higher in 2% of patients.
CAR T cells are being used for high-risk patients whose disease has relapsed rapidly after chemoimmunotherapy. Such an approach is considered in the context of numerous other available agents.
Studies cited in this source section
Source citation is not a determination that a study applies to you.
Publication references
Read the original reference and check its publication notices.
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice
Triangle