Abstract / Summary
Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a standard treatment for several hematological malignancies, yet patient-specific responses and toxicities remain hard to predict. Although multiple covariates and risk scores exist, their prognostic accuracy remains limited. Methods We prospectively measured CAR T-cell kinetics in peripheral blood of 92 patients with B-cell malignancies using multicolor flow cytometry. To explore underlying mechanisms, we developed a mechanistic model of CAR T-cell and tumor cell interactions. Results We captured four phases of CAR T-cell kinetics in peripheral blood: distribution, expansion, contraction, and persistence. Patients with weak expansion or deep contraction are more likely to relapse. When fitted to the 46 patients with suDicient data points, the model reproduces individual CAR T-cell kinetics but fails to predict outcomes using uniform tumor parameters. We demonstrate that identical CAR T-cell dynamics may result from diDerent tumor features, including growth rate, initial burden, or antigen density. Accurately estimating these tumor-specific factors may improve relapse prediction, while common surrogates like blood lactate dehydrogenase, International Prognostic Index score, or Ann-Arbor stage do not. Conclusion We conclude that CAR T-cell kinetics within the first month can serve as early prognostic markers. Integrating tumor burden estimates is required to reconcile kinetics with individual outcomes and may, upon prospective validation, further improve risk stratification in patients with B-cell malignancies receiving CAR T-cell therapy.