James Essell, MD, Medical Director of the Blood Cancer Center, The Jewish Hospital-Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center, and Chair of Cellular Therapy, observed that axicabtagene ciloleucel compares favorably with other chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products being evaluated for indolent lymphoma.

“The preliminary results look very impressive with axicabtagene ciloleucel for follicular lymphoma. The real question will be the duration of benefit, as it’s too soon to say with the current data. Longer follow-up is required, as follicular lymphomas are typically slower growing and have later relapses than large cell lymphomas. Hopefully, the remissions will be durable,” Dr. Essell commented.

James Essell, MD

He noted that patients in the ZUMA-5 trial are at high risk for relapse. “If remissions prove to be durable and the toxicity associated with axicabtagene ciloleucel for follicular lymphoma is acceptable, this should lead to referrals from community oncologists,” he added.

“As more patients receive cellular therapy, supportive care is improving, leading to better management of toxicity. Ultimately, this should result in more patients receiving this beneficial therapy,” said Dr. Essell. 

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Essell reported no conflicts of interest.