Use of CD19-directed CAR T-Cell Therapy in an Infant With Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2021 May 1;43(4):152-154. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001857.

Abstract

Infants with KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have historically poor outcomes despite maximal intensification of chemotherapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized our approach to pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory ALL. Unfortunately, infants were excluded from early CAR T-cell trials due to concerns regarding the feasibility of T-cell collection and expansion. Here, we report the use of tisagenlecleucel in an infant with chemotherapy-refractory KMT2A-rearranged ALL. While CAR T-cell therapy was not curative for this patient, collection and expansion of T-cells proved feasible despite prior chemotherapy, he achieved minimal residual disease negative remission with excellent quality of life, and it facilitated a delay in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • KMT2A protein, human
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • tisagenlecleucel