Prior antibiotics exposure predicts early and prolonged CD19 CAR T-cell-related hematologic toxicity and prognosis in acute B-cell leukemia - Report - MDSpire

Prior antibiotics exposure predicts early and prolonged CD19 CAR T-cell-related hematologic toxicity and prognosis in acute B-cell leukemia

  • By

  • Jiachen Liu

  • Yingying Li

  • Feng Zhu

  • Bin Lv

  • Jia Xu

  • Mengyi Du

  • Kailin Xu

  • Heng Mei

  • April 7, 2025

  • 0 min

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Antibiotic Use Predicts Hematologic Toxicity and Outcomes in B-ALL CAR-T Therapy

Overview

Prior exposure to high-frequency antibiotics (HF ABX) significantly correlates with severe early and prolonged hematologic toxicity in relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) patients undergoing CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. A novel antibiotic-based scoring model incorporating HF ABX exposure and tumor burden demonstrates superior predictive accuracy for hematologic toxicity and survival outcomes compared to existing models.

Background

CD19 CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for R/R B-ALL but is frequently complicated by hematologic toxicities that limit its clinical utility. Current toxicity grading systems and predictive models have limitations in specificity and early detection. Antibiotics, particularly certain high-frequency classes, may impair hematopoietic recovery post-CAR-T therapy. This study investigates the impact of prior antibiotic exposure on hematologic toxicity and develops a predictive model to identify high-risk patients.

Data Highlights

ParameterCutoff ValueAssociation with Severe Hematotoxicity
Baseline Platelet75 × 10⁹/LIncluded in model
Hemoglobin79.5 g/LIncluded in model
CRP5.54 mg/LIncluded in model
Ferritin1065.9 μg/LIncluded in model
LDH284.5 U/LIncluded in model
Tumor Burden71.5%Included in model
Prior HF ABX ExposureYes/NoSignificantly associated (P=0.009)

Key Findings

  • 64.5% of patients received antibiotics prior to CAR-T therapy; meropenem, teicoplanin, piperacillin, and ceftazidime were most common.
  • Prior exposure to HF ABX was significantly associated with severe early hematologic toxicity (P=0.009), including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia.
  • The novel antibiotic-based score model showed superior predictive performance (AUC 0.795) compared to the CAR-HEMATOTOX model (AUC 0.745).
  • High-risk patients (score ≥3) had significantly worse progression-free survival (median 4 vs. 11 months) and overall survival (median 6 vs. 28 months).
  • External validation confirmed the model’s ability to predict prolonged hematologic toxicity and survival trends.
  • The model demonstrated higher specificity (76.5%) and robust sensitivity (80%) compared to existing models.

Clinical Implications

Incorporating prior HF antibiotic exposure into risk assessment can improve early identification of patients at high risk for severe hematologic toxicity following CD19 CAR-T therapy. This model may guide clinicians in tailoring supportive care and monitoring strategies to mitigate toxicity and potentially improve survival outcomes. Awareness of antibiotic impact on hematopoietic recovery is critical in managing R/R B-ALL patients undergoing CAR-T treatment.

Conclusion

Prior use of high-frequency antibiotics is a strong predictor of early and extended hematologic toxicity in R/R B-ALL patients receiving CD19 CAR-T therapy. The newly developed antibiotic-based scoring model offers improved specificity and prognostic value, aiding in risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

References

  1. Wang et al. 2024 -- Previous Antibiotic Use as a Predictor of Early and Extended Hematologic Toxicity and Outcomes in Acute B-Cell Leukemia Patients Undergoing CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy

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