Late phase transfusion after CAR T therapy is associated with persistent hematotoxicity and non-relapse mortality in multiple myeloma: a post hoc analysis
Identifying which multiple myeloma patients need transfusions late after CAR-T therapy could help doctors spot those at highest risk and intervene earlier.
In 155 R/R MM patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy, late-phase RBC transfusion (beyond day 30) was associated with a 3.5-fold reduction in median OS and a significant increase in non-relapse mortality, distinguishing it from early transfusion which primarily reflects acute inflammation. These findings position late transfusion dependence as a clinically important prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in CAR-T-treated multiple myeloma.
What the study was
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort
- Population
- Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients treated with CAR-T cells, Xuzhou Medical University
- Sample size
- 155
- Category
- Treatment Innovation
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- BMC Medicine
Why it surfaced
First systematic characterization of late transfusion as independent prognostic marker in CAR-T-treated MM; large effect size (3.5x OS difference); actionable finding for post-CAR-T monitoring protocols. Scored 7 (not 8+) due to retrospective design and single-center data.
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