Fluctuation of physical function during chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy during rehabilitation intervention: Real-world data and risk factor analyses

Introduction

Patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy face prolonged treatment timelines and are prone to cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) after infusion. Disabilities in physical function and the importance of rehabilitation during CAR-T-cell therapy to maintain physical function have been poorly documented.

Method

We performed a retrospective cohort study to assess changes in exercise tolerance via differences in a 6-min-walking distance (Δ6MWD) and factors influencing it.

Results

A total of 77 patients who underwent rehabilitation during CAR-T-cell therapy were enrolled, and their 6MWD was 450 m (median, range 180–705 m) before and 450.5 m (107.0–735.0 m) 30 days after CAR-T treatment. No significant alteration in Δ6MWD was observed overall (11.0 m, 95% confidence interval, −56.1 to 88.2 m). Multiple regression analyses indicated that age (over vs. under 65 years) revealed no notable differences in Δ6MWD (20 vs. 10 m), while ΔHb (β = 0.24, p = 0.03), moderate/severe CRS (grade 1 with continuous fever or grade ≥2; β = −0.25, p = 0.03), and ICANS (any grade; β = −0.22, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with lower Δ6MWD.

Conclusion

This real-world study indicated that CAR-T-cell therapy is less likely to reduce physical function even in older patients if rehabilitation is properly performed, whereas CRS and ICANS can be risk factors to deprive exercise tolerance.