Improving Access to CAR T-Cell Therapy: Timely Referral and Care Coordination in the West-ACCC Webinar CAR T West

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, hosted by the Association of Cancer Care Centers, focused on strengthening collaborative care pathways for CAR T-cell therapy, especially for lymphoma patients. Speakers from City of Hope discussed why early referral matters: CAR T can be curative for some patients with large B-cell lymphoma, and delays between deciding on CAR T and collecting cells (“brain-to-vein time”) can worsen outcomes.<br /><br />The session reviewed the CAR T patient journey, including referral, insurance approval, workup, leukapheresis, cell manufacturing, infusion, and discharge back to the referring team. Faculty emphasized that CAR T should not be viewed only as a last resort or limited to young, fit patients. They also discussed using high-risk features, interim PET results, and emerging ctDNA-based MRD testing to identify candidates earlier.<br /><br />Post-treatment care was a major focus. Providers reviewed the need for ongoing monitoring after discharge for infections, neurotoxicity, cytopenias, hypogammaglobulinemia, vaccinations, and secondary malignancies. The panel stressed that referring oncologists remain essential partners in long-term follow-up.<br /><br />Finally, the speakers highlighted practical barriers such as insurance, travel, caregiver support, and care coordination, noting that nurse navigators, social workers, and multidisciplinary collaboration are key to helping patients receive CAR T in a timely way.

Keywords

CAR T-cell therapy

lymphoma

early referral

brain-to-vein time

large B-cell lymphoma

leukapheresis

ctDNA MRD testing

post-treatment monitoring

care coordination