Apheresis collection of mononuclear cells for chimeric‐antigen receptor therapies

Abstract

Collections of lymphocytes to be genetically modified to treat hematologic malignancies have seen a dramatic increase over the last few years as commercial products have been approved. Reports of new products in development that can possibly treat solid organ malignancies represent a massive change in the field. Apheresis is at the center of the collection of cells for the manufacture of these chimeric‐antigen receptor therapy products. The expansion of these collections represents one of the areas of apheresis procedures growth. This review will summarize concepts important to this type of collection and variables that need to be optimized to obtain desired cell yields while increasing patients' safety.

Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy, where are we now and where are we heading for

“…Successful collection of sufficient number of T cells by apheresis is critical for manufacturing qualified CAR‐T‐cell products. Main concepts important to apheresis and variables that need to be optimized in order to obtain desired cell yields while increasing patients' safety were summarized 4 . We are excited to see the number of long‐term survivors after CAR‐T‐cell therapy steadily increases, but there is growing need to appropriately evaluate and manage the late effects of this novel therapy, such as prolonged cytopenia, delayed immune reconstitution, infections, secondary malignancies, and fertility implications, and so on.…”

“…Main concepts important to apheresis and variables that need to be optimized in order to obtain desired cell yields while increasing patients' safety were summarized. 4 We are excited to see the number of long-term survivors after CAR-T-cell therapy steadily increases, but there is growing need to appropriately evaluate and manage the late effects of this novel therapy, such as prolonged cytopenia, delayed immune reconstitution, infections, secondary malignancies, and fertility implications, and so on. A practical approach to the long-term survivorship care of the CAR-T-cell recipient was proposed to address the common and challenging late complications.…”