Access Barriers to Anti-CD19+ CART-Cell Therapy for NHL Across a Community Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network

• 41% of referrals in the community were unable to access anti-CD19+ CAR-T cells for NHL between 2018-2022

• Attrition from disease-related factors was the primary drivers for the ineligibility

We analyzed access barriers to anti-CD19+ chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CART) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) within a community-based transplant and cell therapy network registry. 357 intended recipients of FDA-approved anti-CD19+ CART were identified in the study period (2018 to 2022). Results showed that the median age at referral was 61 years, referral year was 2018 (4%), 2019 (14%), 2020 (18%), 2021 (26%), and 2022 (38%). Diagnoses were diffuse large B-cell (69%), follicular (13%), follicular/large (7%), mantle cell (4%), or other (7%). CART products infused were Axi-cel (62%), Tisa-cel (16%), Brexu-cel (13%) and Liso-cel (9%). 182 patients were infused with CART. The median durations between referral to consultation, consultation to apheresis, and collection to infusion were 11, 107, and 32 days, respectively. The median duration from consultation to CART infusion declined steadily from 207 days in 2019 to 108 days in 2022. [P <0.0001] 124 patients (41%) did not receive CART mostly for disease progression (34%) or poor health (15%). Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant differences in demographic, financial, or social determinants compared to those receiving CART. Notably, the proportion of ineligible patients declined from 53% in 2018-2020 to 34% by 2021-2022 [P=0.001]. In conclusion, 41% of community patients were unable to access timely CART therapy for NHL, mostly related to attrition from disease-related causes while overall time to infusion exceeded four months. Time to infusion as well as the proportion receiving CART improved over time. Reducing time to apheresis, early referral, and careful attention to salvage/bridging strategies are necessary.