Recent findings from Kite, a Gilead Company, reveal that Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) can be effectively administered in outpatient settings for patients battling relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL). Presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the study highlights comparable safety and effectiveness between outpatient and inpatient treatments, promising significant benefits for both patients and healthcare systems.
Study Overview and Methodology
The analysis utilized data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry, encompassing 75 treatment centers. A total of 238 patients were examined, split evenly between outpatient and inpatient settings. Over a median follow-up of 12 months, the research focused on key outcomes such as cytokine release syndrome, neurologic events, and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome.
Key Findings and Clinical Implications
Safety and effectiveness metrics showed no significant differences between the two groups. Notably, nearly 25% of outpatient-treated patients avoided hospital admission within 30 days, and 50% did not require hospitalization within three days. These results suggest that outpatient administration of Yescarta not only maintains clinical efficacy but also reduces the strain on hospital resources.
- Outpatient treatment can alleviate hospital overcrowding.
- Patients experience similar safety profiles compared to inpatient care.
- Cost-effective advantages may enhance access to Yescarta therapy.
- Increased outpatient use could lead to broader adoption of CAR T-cell therapies.
The study underscores the growing confidence in administering Yescarta outside traditional hospital settings. Dr. Fateeha Furqan from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center emphasized the therapeutic’s expanding feasibility, highlighting the enhanced expertise in safely managing CAR T-cell therapies since Yescarta’s approval in 2017.
Dominique Tonelli, M.D., Vice President and Global Head of Medical Affairs at Kite, expressed optimism that these findings would encourage more healthcare providers to consider outpatient settings for Yescarta administration. This shift could potentially increase the number of patients benefiting from a one-time, potentially curative treatment.
As Yescarta continues to demonstrate its efficacy in diverse settings, the medical community anticipates a positive impact on patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Ensuring robust training and support for outpatient administration will be crucial in replicating these promising results on a wider scale.
Advancements in outpatient treatment protocols for Yescarta could pave the way for more accessible and sustainable cancer care solutions. Patients and healthcare systems stand to gain significantly from the reduced need for prolonged hospital stays, aligning with broader goals of enhancing quality of life and optimizing resource utilization.
Implementing outpatient Yescarta therapy requires careful patient selection and adherence to safety protocols. Ongoing monitoring and support remain essential to maintain the high standards of care that patients expect. As Kite and Gilead continue their research, the potential for expanding outpatient treatment further solidifies Yescarta’s role in modern oncology.
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