Axi-cel more effective but tisa-cel less toxic in large B-cell lymphoma

In a matched set population of patients with large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs) who had received ≥2 lines of treatment, axi-cel resulted in a significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared to tisa-cel. However, axi-cel was associated with significantly more frequent grade ≥3 neurotoxicity compared with tisa-cel. These results could help to refine specific patient sub-populations who benefit most from each type of CAR T cells.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) are autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies approved in the USA and EU for adults with relapsed/refractory (R/R) LBCL after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. “The approval was based on the JULIET and ZUMA-1 trials,” Dr Emmanuel Bachy (Hospices Civils de Lyon, France) mentioned.

Two pivotal trials, but no direct comparisons

In the JULIET trial, tisa-cel was associated with a best overall response rate (ORR) of 52% with a 40% complete response rate (CRR) and a median overall survival (OS) of 12 months [2]. In the ZUMA-1 trial, axi-cel an led to a 83% ORR, a 58% CRR and a median OS of 26 months [3]. Real-world data have confirmed efficacy and manageable toxicity for both products [4,5].

The absence of an individual patients data-based comparison from both trials has precluded a direct comparison of outcome and toxicity for axi-cel and tisa-cel. Matched-adjusted indirect comparisons have produced conflicting results [6]. DESCAR-T is the French registry for CAR T-cell therapy, required by the Health Authority.

Large cohort from France

Dr Bachy and others conducted a propensity score-matched comparison of axi-cel and tisa-cel in a large cohort of R/R DLBCL patients treated outside of clinical trials. The initial cohort of 504 patients with DLBCL was treated with axi-cel (n=321) or tisa-cel (n=183). Among others, patient characteristics were imbalanced regarding ECOG, and prior transplant rate with a worse prognosis for patients receiving tisa-cel.

After a 1:1 ratio propensity score-matching, the outcome was compared between 144 patients treated with axi-cel and 144 patients treated with tisa-cel. There was no residual significant difference in baseline patient characteristics according to CAR T-cell type.

The primary endpoint was OS. After a median follow-up of 6.6 months, OS was not significantly different between axi-cel and tisa-cel at 6 months (78% vs 70% respectively, P=0.44, Figure). Best ORR and CRR were significantly higher with axi-cel compared with tisa-cel (73% vs 60%, P=0.02 and 56% vs 36%, P<0.001, respectively). There was no difference in duration of response (DoR). At 6 months, PFS was significantly longer with axi-cel (53%) than with tisa-cel (32%, P=0.011).



With respect to the toxicity profile, there was no significant difference in the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), but axi-cel was associated with significantly more frequent neurotoxicity (ICANS) compared with tisa-cel, namely:

• 
  
  • 6% vs 18.1% for grade 1-2 ICANS; and
  • 4% vs 2.1% for grade ≥3 ICANS (P<0.001).

Conclusion

After stringent propensity score-matching on a large patient population treated with CAR T-cell therapy, axi-cel resulted in higher response rates and significantly prolonged PFS compared with tisa-cel. However, greater efficacy came at the cost of somewhat higher neurotoxicity with axi-cel. There was no difference in DOR and OS, but longer follow-up is needed between axi-cel and tisa-cel.

These data could help in refining CAR T-cell subtype choice for different patient populations, with young and/or fit patients benefiting most from axi-cel, while tisa-cel being most advantageous to elderly and/or unfit patients.

1. 
   
   1. Bachy E, et al. A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Axi-Cel and Tisa-Cel for Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Real-Life: A Lysa Study from the Descar-T Registry. Abstract 92, ASH 2021 Annual Meeting 11-14 Dec.
   2. Schuster SJ, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:45-56.
   3. Neelapu SS, et al. N Engl J Med. 2017;377:2531-2544.
   4. Jacobson CA, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38:3095-3106. 
   5. Nastoupil LJ, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38:3119-3128. 
   6. Oluwole OO, et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2020;26:1581-1588. 

 

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Posted on 4 February, 202215 February, 2024