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FDA Approval and ZUMA-3 Trial Overview
October 2021: Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus, Kite Pharma, Inc.) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
In ZUMA-3 (NCT02614066), a single-arm multicenter trial in individuals with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL, the efficacy of brexucabtagene autoleucel, a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment, was assessed. Following lymphodepleting chemotherapy, patients received a single infusion of brexucabtagene autoleucel.
Efficacy Outcomes: Response and Durability
Complete response (CR) within 3 months of infusion and durability of CR were the efficacy outcome criteria utilised to support approval. Within three months, 28 (52 percent; 95 percent CI: 38, 66) of the 54 patients evaluable for effectiveness attained CR. The median duration of CR was not met with a median follow-up of 7.1 months for responders; the length of CR was anticipated to surpass 12 months for more than half of the patients.
Safety Profile and Dosage Administration
A boxed warning for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicities is included in the prescribing material for brexucabtagene autoleucel. In 92 percent of cases (Grade 3, 26 percent), CRS developed, and in 87 percent of cases (Grade 3, 35 percent), neurologic toxicities occurred. Fever, CRS, hypotension, encephalopathy, tachycardias, nausea, chills, headache, fatigue, febrile neutropenia, diarrhoea, musculoskeletal pain, hypoxia, rash, edoema, tremor, infection with an unspecified pathogen, constipation, decreased appetite, and vomiting were the most common non-laboratory adverse reactions (incidence 20%).
A single intravenous infusion of 1 x 106 CAR-positive viable T cells per kg body weight (maximum 1 x 108 CAR-positive viable T cells) is advised for brexucabtagene autoleucel treatment, followed by fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for lymphodepleting chemotherapy.
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About Susan Hau
Susan Hau is a distinguished researcher in the field of cancer cell therapy, with a particular focus on T cell-based approaches and cancer vaccines. Her work spans several innovative treatment modalities, including CAR T-cell therapy, TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) therapy, and NK (Natural Killer) cell therapy. Hau's expertise lies in cancer cell biolo…
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This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
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