Dr. Lister on Selecting Patients With Lymphoma for CAR T-Cell Therapy

John Lister, MD, chief, Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, discusses selecting patients with lymphoma for CAR T-cell therapy.

Patients who receive CAR T-cell therapy do so based on current FDA approvals, ​which establish clear guidelines for eligible patients, Lister says. For example, if a patient has diffused large B-cell lymphoma that has relapsed and not responded well to salvage chemotherapy, they could be an ideal candidate for CAR T-cell therapy, Lister adds. However, they have to have met additional criteria to ensure they have adequate organ function to withstand the rigors of CAR T-cell therapy, Lister explains.

 Moreover, clinical trials are developed in that patients who will go on that treatment must meet specific inclusion criteria, which is standard in the in the clinical research industry Lister continues. Overall, clinicians are attuned to using CAR T-cell therapy in the appropriate setting and have a wealth of experience in treating patients in these situations, Lister concludes.