A Pilot Study of Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Following Chimeric
Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy in Pediatric Patients with
Relapsed/Refractory Leukemia
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a promising treatment
for pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B ALL). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a
common toxicity after CAR T cell therapy and fever is often the first
symptom. Differentiating CRS from infection after CAR T cell therapy can
be challenging. Plasma microbial cell free DNA (mcfDNA) is a novel
diagnostic tool which allows for qualitative and quantitative assessment
of over 1,000 organisms. This pilot study sought to characterize mcfDNA
results in pediatric patients with R/R B ALL in the first two months
after CAR T cell therapy.