Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment

Background: CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed treatment for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, offering promising remission rates. However, it carries significant infectious risks, necessitating revaccination for infection prevention.Methods: This...

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Main Authors: Robert Clayden, Barbara Gunka, Brittany Salter, Audrey Y. H. Dong, Kylie Lepic, Gwynivere Davies, Amaris Balitsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Hematology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16078454.2025.2519865
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author Robert Clayden
Barbara Gunka
Brittany Salter
Audrey Y. H. Dong
Kylie Lepic
Gwynivere Davies
Amaris Balitsky
author_facet Robert Clayden
Barbara Gunka
Brittany Salter
Audrey Y. H. Dong
Kylie Lepic
Gwynivere Davies
Amaris Balitsky
author_sort Robert Clayden
collection DOAJ
description Background: CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed treatment for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, offering promising remission rates. However, it carries significant infectious risks, necessitating revaccination for infection prevention.Methods: This single-center quality improvement study aimed to (1) assess revaccination uptake and barriers in CAR-T recipients through interviews and focus groups, and (2) use qualitative insights to develop an educational handout to improve revaccination adherence. The study was conducted at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, and enrolled 22 patients who received CAR-T between January 2020 and June 2023. Participants completed a survey evaluating their revaccination experience, which informed the development of a patient-facing educational handout. A focus group of survey participants then reviewed the handout and offered feedback on its clarity and usefulness.Results: Only 50% of participants proceeded with revaccination. Key barriers included limited awareness among primary care providers (PCPs), poor communication between hematologists and PCPs, and logistical difficulties. The focus group highlighted gaps in understanding post-CAR-T immunization needs and emphasized the importance of patient and physician education. Participants supported the creation of a concise handout outlining the revaccination schedule and clarified the PCP's role in coordination.Conclusion: This study underscores the need for improved communication across care providers and accessible patient education to support post-CAR-T revaccination. Future efforts should focus on implementing and evaluating targeted educational tools to enhance vaccine uptake in this high-risk population..
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spelling doaj-art-9fb60c0899c74fda8dc57259d54fdc902025-08-20T03:29:34ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHematology1607-84542025-12-0130110.1080/16078454.2025.2519865Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessmentRobert Clayden0Barbara Gunka1Brittany Salter2Audrey Y. H. Dong3Kylie Lepic4Gwynivere Davies5Amaris Balitsky6Department of Oncology, St Catharines General Hospital, St Catharines, CanadaDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, CanadaBackground: CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed treatment for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, offering promising remission rates. However, it carries significant infectious risks, necessitating revaccination for infection prevention.Methods: This single-center quality improvement study aimed to (1) assess revaccination uptake and barriers in CAR-T recipients through interviews and focus groups, and (2) use qualitative insights to develop an educational handout to improve revaccination adherence. The study was conducted at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, and enrolled 22 patients who received CAR-T between January 2020 and June 2023. Participants completed a survey evaluating their revaccination experience, which informed the development of a patient-facing educational handout. A focus group of survey participants then reviewed the handout and offered feedback on its clarity and usefulness.Results: Only 50% of participants proceeded with revaccination. Key barriers included limited awareness among primary care providers (PCPs), poor communication between hematologists and PCPs, and logistical difficulties. The focus group highlighted gaps in understanding post-CAR-T immunization needs and emphasized the importance of patient and physician education. Participants supported the creation of a concise handout outlining the revaccination schedule and clarified the PCP's role in coordination.Conclusion: This study underscores the need for improved communication across care providers and accessible patient education to support post-CAR-T revaccination. Future efforts should focus on implementing and evaluating targeted educational tools to enhance vaccine uptake in this high-risk population..https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16078454.2025.2519865CAR-TvaccinationLBCLlymphoma
spellingShingle Robert Clayden
Barbara Gunka
Brittany Salter
Audrey Y. H. Dong
Kylie Lepic
Gwynivere Davies
Amaris Balitsky
Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
Hematology
CAR-T
vaccination
LBCL
lymphoma
title Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
title_full Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
title_fullStr Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
title_full_unstemmed Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
title_short Revaccination following CAR-T therapy: a needs assessment
title_sort revaccination following car t therapy a needs assessment
topic CAR-T
vaccination
LBCL
lymphoma
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/16078454.2025.2519865
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