Dr. Grunwald on the Clinical Implications of Tisagenlecleucel in B-ALL Treatment

Michael R. Grunwald, MD, FACP, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, and a hematologist/ oncologist at the Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, discusses the clinical implications of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) in the treatment of patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

Having a CAR T-cell therapy available for the treatment of patients with B-ALL has being exciting, Grunwald says. However, the agent is currently only FDA approved for use in patients up to age 25 years whose disease is refractory or in second or later relapse, Grunwald notes.

Further studies of tisagenlecleucel, as well as similar agents, will be important for older patients with B-ALL because more options are needed in this population, Grunwald continues. For younger patients, however, having this agent available has been significant, as it can get them back into remission. Sometimes patients who receive the agent can experience a very durable remission following relapse, Grunwald concludes.