CAR t-cell therapy in BOlogNa-NEUrotoxicity TReatment and Assessment in Lymphoma (CARBON-NEUTRAL): proposed protocol and results from an Italian study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate neurotoxicity clinical and instrumental features, incidence, risk factors, and early and long-term prognosis in lymphoma patients who received CAR T-cell therapy.

Methods: In this prospective study, consecutive refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who received CAR T-cell therapy were included. Patients were comprehensively evaluated (neurological examination, EEG, brain MRI, and neuropsychological test) before and after (two and twelve months) CAR T-cells. From the day of CAR T-cells infusion, patients underwent daily neurological examinations to monitor the development of neurotoxicity.

Results: Forty-six patients were included in the study. The median age was 56.5 years, and 13 (28%) were females. Seventeen patients (37%) developed neurotoxicity, characterized by encephalopathy frequently associated with language disturbances (65%) and frontal lobe dysfunction (65%). EEG and brain FDG-PET findings also supported a predominant frontal lobe involvement. The median time at onset and duration were five and eight days, respectively. Baseline EEG abnormalities predicted ICANS development in the multivariable analysis (OR 4.771; CI 1.081-21.048; p = 0.039). Notably, CRS was invariably present before or concomitant with neurotoxicity, and all patients who exhibited severe CRS (grade ≥ 3) developed neurotoxicity. Serum inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patients who developed neurotoxicity. A complete neurological resolution following corticosteroids and anti-cytokines monoclonal antibodies was reached in all patients treated, except for one patient developing a fatal fulminant cerebral edema. All surviving patients completed the 1-year follow-up, and no long-term neurotoxicity was observed.

Conclusions: In the first prospective Italian real-life study, we presented novel clinical and investigative insights into ICANS diagnosis, predictive factors, and prognosis.

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Cytokine release syndrome; Cytokine storm-associated encephalopathy; Immune effectors cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS); Neurological complications.