Objectives: The primary objective of this study will be to evaluate the impact of pre-emptive use of anakinra on the rate of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) following CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children and young adults. Patient Population: Children and young adults \<25 years of age undergoing CAR T-cell therapy for B-ALL with bone marrow disease burden of ≥5% involvement or detectable peripheral blasts within 2 weeks of the initiation of lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Study Design: This is a pilot single arm study. The investigators will inquire into the efficacy and safety of using anakinra pre-emptively to reduce the rate of severe CRS in patients with \>/=5% bone marrow blasts or lymphoblasts in the peripheral blood. Treatment Plan: This is a single arm unblinded study in which patients will receive anakinra, 2.5 mg/kg (max 100mg), IV every 12 hours starting at the onset of persistent fever (fever \>38.5⁰ C x 2 occurrences separated by at least 4 hours in a 24 hour period). If there is persistence or progression of CRS, anakinra frequency will be increased to 2.5mg/kg IV (max 100mg), every 6 hours. Anakinra will be continued until 48 hours after resolution of CRS and ICANS, and at least 7 days post-CAR T infusion. If dose and frequency of anakinra is increased, the increased dose of anakinra will be continued until 48 hours after resolution of CRS and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) and at least 7 days post-CAR T infusion. For CRS worsening beyond dose escalation of anakinra, CRS will be managed as per standard of care management. Participants will be followed for 12 months following enrollment in the study and disease evaluations will be performed as per routine clinical care following CAR T-cell therapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Pre-emptive Anakinra at the initial onset of CRS.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rate of Severe CRS within 30 days of CAR T-cell infusion
The rate of severe CRS, grade ≥3 CRS, as defined by the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) consensus guidelines. Participants will have CRS grading each day of hospitalization and every clinical visit within the first 30 days of CAR T-cell infusion.
Time frame: 30 days of CAR-T infusion
Complete Remission Rate
1\. Complete Remission Rate at day 28-35 post-CAR-T
Time frame: 28-35 days post CAR-T infusion
Overall and event-free survival
6- and 12-month overall and event-free survival
Time frame: Up to 12 months post CAR-T infusion
CRS and ICANS Severity
Rate and any grade of CRS, any grade ICANS, severe (grade \>/=3) ICANS, any grade IEC-HS
Time frame: Up to 12 months post CAR-T infusion
Immune effector cell-associated hematotoxicity (ICAHT) Severity
Rate of any grade and grade \>/=3 ICAHT as defined by European Hematology Association (EHA)/European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) guidelines
Time frame: Up to 12 months post CAR-T infusion
Use of tocilizumab or steroids
Use of tocilizumab and steroids in the treatment of CRS, ICANS, or Immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome (IEC-HS)
Time frame: Within 30 days post CAR T infusion
Infection severity
Rate of severe infections (as defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 grade \>/=3)
Time frame: Within 30 days post CAR T infusion
Inflammatory markers and cell turnover
Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, ferritin) and markers of cell turnover (lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid)
Time frame: Within 30 days post CAR T infusion
Cell expansion and plasma cytokine profiles
CAR T-cell expansion and plasma cytokine profiles
Time frame: Within 35 days post CAR T infusion
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