Site-specific analysis of extranodal involvement in large B-cell lymphoma reveals distinct efficacy with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy

Abstract

Over 60% of relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL) patients treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells experience progressive disease. The impact of site-specific extranodal involvement on CAR-T outcomes has not been fully elucidated. This multicenter study included 516 R/R LBCL patients infused with CD19-targeted CAR T-cells; 177 (34%) had only-nodal (N), 66 (13%) only-extranodal (E) and 273 (53%) nodal and extranodal (NE) disease at time of CAR T-cells. The NE cohort included more patients with a poor performance status and high tumor burden. In the multivariable analysis, the NE group had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 1.27 [95%CI 0.98–1.64], p = 0.07) and overall survival (HR 1.41 [95%CI 1.05–1.88], p = 0.02) compared to N. Conversely, we did not identify efficacy differences between N and E patients. A higher number of extranodal sites and specific organ involvement (liver, adrenal glands, pancreas), were associated with shorter PFS. Finally, extranodal involvement increased at time of relapse, displaying heterogeneous individual site clearance rates. In conclusion, patients with concomitant nodal and extranodal involvement at time of CAR-T had worse outcomes, but this cohort harbored high-risk baseline characteristics. An increasing number of extranodal sites and certain disease locations were associated with lower CAR-T efficacy.