Comprehensive support initiative for CAR-T cell therapy at our hospital by clinical laboratory technicians in the transfusion and cell therapy department

Abstract

CAR-T cell therapy is an immunotherapy in which T cells with chimeric antigen receptors transfected into them attack the patient’s tumor cells. Our hospital became a certified facility for tisagenlecleucel in February 2020, and clinical laboratory technicians in the transfusion and cell therapy room provide comprehensive support for everything from leukapheresis to cell counting, cell preparation, and storage management. Doctors secure veins for leukapheresis, connect and disconnect the centrifugal blood component separator to the patient, and remove the needle and stop bleeding. When one volume of circulating blood is processed, the number of nucleated cells and CD3+ T cells in the collection bag are measured, and the timing of completion is discussed with the doctor. Cell preparation is performed in the cell culture and processing facility, and the program freezer and gas-phase liquid nitrogen tank for freezing are efficiently operated adjacent to the cell culture and processing facility. There were 64 leukocyte apheresis procedures performed between April 2020 and October 2023, and there were no cases of readjustment of the leukocyte apheresis date or serious adverse events during collection. It is important to perform CAR-T cell therapy at the appropriate time, taking into account the treatment schedule of patients who are eligible for CAR-T cell therapy. By having clinical laboratory technicians in the transfusion and cell therapy room provide comprehensive support from leukocyte apheresis to storage, there is no need to coordinate work with other departments, and flexible responses can be made to each patient.