Emerging Activity of Cellular Immunotherapy for Treatment of Cancer in Brazil

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR T cells) are genetically modified cellular immunotherapies approved for standard of care treatment of patients with lymphoma and leukemia worldwide. Here we report the initial activity in Brazilian centers through the collaboration between the Brazilian Cellular Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant Society (SBTMO) and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). A total of 38 patients who received CAR T cells between 2020 and 2023. The median age was 47 years (range 4-77). Indications include Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL; 26 cases; 68%), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL; 9 cases; 24%), and Multiple Myeloma (MM; 3 cases; 8%). 84% (75% - 24 NHL cases and 25% - 8 ALL cases) were commercial. This report demonstrates the initial implementation of CAR T cells in Brazil among centers that report to the SBTMO/CIBMTR. This infrastructure will assist in further capturing the activity, assessing the outcomes, and complying with regulatory requirements.