CAR T access and outcomes in large B-cell lymphoma according to ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation in the UK

Data on the impact of ethnic and socioeconomic factors on Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (access and outcomes are limited, but key to understand whether results from the registration trials are generalizable to real-world patient populations. Here, we analysed ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation and referral patterns in a cohort of 314 large B-cell lymphoma patients approved for third-line CD19 CAR-T across three large UK CAR-T centres. Patients from deprived areas had a lower infusion rate compared to low deprivation areas (73% vs. 86%, p = 0.04). CAR-T response rates, toxicities, progression-free survival or non-relapse mortality were similar with respect to ethnicity or deprivation. We did not find evidence of referral barriers according to ethnicity, but potential regional barriers for socioeconomically deprived patients in two of three centres. Intention-to-treat overall survival was significantly inferior in patients from deprived areas (1-year OS 44.5% vs. 58% for high vs. low deprivation; p = 0.02), likely reflecting general health disparities and higher drop-out rates in this group. Our data suggest similar outcomes of CD19 CAR-T-treated patients across a socioeconomically and ethnically heterogeneous real-world population. Results demonstrate broad access to CAR-T within the UK national delivery system, but the high drop-out rate and potential regional referral barriers for deprived communities should be further investigated.