Differential clinical and economic signatures of CAR T-cell therapy in DLBCL across demographic and payer strata: A national analysis.

Abstract

7064 Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized care for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), yet granular delineation of real-world immune effector toxicities, organ-specific sequelae and economic burden across demographic and socioeconomic strata requires further exploration. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2017–2022), we identified adult DLBCL hospitalizations receiving CAR T through ICD-10-PCS codes. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) [all grades - 2021–2022], immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) [all grades – 2022], infections, cardiac events and acute kidney injury (AKI) were identified through ICD-10 codes. Age was stratified into 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 and >81 years. Payer groups were Medicare, Medicaid, Private and Uninsured. Races were White, African American, Hispanic and others [Pacific Islanders, Native Indians, Asians]. Chi-square analysis was performed, and multivariate regression adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. Results: Across >11,000 weighted hospitalizations, inpatient mortality, all-grade CRS and ICANS were comparable across age, race, and payer groups (p>0.05). Inpatient mortality was numerically higher in other minor races (6.6%) vs White (3.3%), African American (3.1%), and Hispanic (0.9%; p=0.230). Any grade CRS was numerically higher in other minor races (72.5%) than in White (62.3%) and African American (60.6%; p=0.614). Any grade ICANS dispersion included 29.5% (White), 39.1% (African American), 22.5% (Hispanic) and 11.1% (Other; p=0.204). A race-specific signal for ICANS grade 5 (p=0.030) was seen, but numbers were small. Among cardiac events, arrhythmias rose from 7.6% (age 21–40 years) to 57.1% ( age ≥81 years) (p<0.001). By payer, arrhythmias were highest in Medicare (31.2%; p<0.001). Other cardiac events including myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiogenic shock were similar across groups. Pneumonia rates varied by payer, peaking in the Uninsured (23.8%; p=0.010). Sepsis and septic shock rates showed no differences. AKI (p=0.007) rates showed differences but attenuated after adjustment. Hispanic and other minor races had lower adjusted costs than White (Odds ratio [OR] 0.9, p=0.046; OR 0.8, p=0.006), while ages 61–80 had higher adjusted costs vs 21–40 (OR 1.2, p=0.023). Conclusions: In this national cohort, CRS, ICANS and mortality were similar across demographic and payer strata, indicating consistent immune effector safety. Cardiac arrhythmia rates were higher among the elderly and Medicare beneficiaries. There were lower expenditures among minor race groups and higher costs in elderly. These findings highlight discrete domains of variability and suggest intensified cardiac surveillance in elderly and equitable resource allocation to optimize outcomes with CAR-T.