FDA Approves Brexucabtagene Autoleucel for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory ALL

Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to the FDA.

The CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy was evaluated as part of the phase 2 ZUMA-3 study (NCT02614066) in the indicated patient population. After receiving a single infusion, 52% (95% CI, 38%-66%)of the 52 patients evaluated achieved a complete response (CR) within 3 months. After a median follow up of 7.1 months, the median duration of CR was not reached, although it was estimated to have surpassed 12 months for half of patients.

Additionally, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 92% of patients, including 26% who experienced grade 3 or higher CRS. Additionally, 87% of patients experienced neurologic toxicities, including 35% who experienced an adverse effect (AE) of grade 3 or higher. Other AEs included fever, hypotension, encephalopathy, tachycardias, nausea, chills, headache, and fatigue.

Reference

FDA approves brexucabtagene autoleucel for relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. News release. October 1, 2021. Accessed October 4, 2021. https://bit.ly/3irFWFV