The DESCAR-T registry was set up at the request of health authorities to improve knowledge about CAR-T cell therapies marketed in France for treating patients with malignant haematology. The objective of this register is to support data on the short- and long-term efficacy and tolerance of these treatments in real life.
Using the data collected, the registry allows projects to be conducted to answer specific research questions. One of these projects focuses on the impact of the response to ‘Holding/Bridge’ treatments in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with axi-cel as a second-line therapy.
Why is this study being implemented?
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Current treatments allow for a cure in most patients. However, for some patients, these treatments are not sufficiently effective. Either the disease does not progress favorably (then referred to as “refractory”), or it relapses after a period of remission. Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell treatments have revolutionized the management of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Although the need for maintenance therapy before leukapheresis and/or bridging therapy after leukapheresis (H/BT) has not been definitively established, it seems evident that, for certain patients, H/BT is crucial to maintain disease control until the CAR-T cell infusion.
Some retrospective data suggest that, in the context of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) beyond the second line (2L), achieving at least a partial response (PR) with H/BT may improve event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS); however, no large real-world study has been conducted in the second-line setting.
What are the objectives of the study of the the DLBCL 2L-Holding/ Bridge study ?
The objective of this research is to characterize the impact of the response to H/BT in patients with R/R DLBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in the second line (2L) setting.
How will this study be conducted?
This study is conducted by Dr. Estelle BOURBON, hematologist at the CHU Lyon Sud in Pierre Bénite, and Dr. Antoine CAPES, hematologist at Saint Antoine Hospital from AP-HP in Paris.
This study is based on the analysis of data from the medical records of patients participating in DESCAR-T. These analyses are carried out by members of LYSARC.
The report of this study will be sent to the project leaders, who will only receive descriptive results without individual data. No link can be established between the data contained in the report and the patients whose data is collected in DESCAR-T.
This study, “ DLBCL 2L-Holding/ Bridge,” was initiated in April 2025.
The first results of this study were presented at an international hematology scientific conference mid-2025 and will be used for the preparation of a publication in a scientific medical research journal in 2026.
FOR PATIENTS PARTICIPATING IN DESCAR-T
What does this project mean for you?
This study is only for patients participating in DESCAR-T who have DLBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in second line.
If you are in this situation and you agree that your data be used for this study, this has no direct implication for you.
In particular, you will not have to answer any additional questionnaire compared to what is already planned as part of your participation in DESCAR-T.
What should you do about this study?
There are two options:
1-You are not opposed to the use of your data in the context of this study:
In this case, you don’t have to do anything
2-you wish to object to the use of your data in the context of this study:
In this case, you must inform the doctor who suggested you participate in the DESCAR-T You can also notify your decision by writing an email to the following address: dpo@lysarc.org.
You will find detailed information about your rights to object to the use of your data in the information provided to you when you agreed to participate in DESCAR-T.