Neuroimaging and Biomarkers of Neurotoxicity After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy

This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm study that aims to develop a novel tool for early identification of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for cancer.

ICANS, which is often referred to as neurotoxicity, is a syndrome affecting the brain and the nervous system. It can give headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, agitation, tremors, difficulty with language, and seizures. Up to 70% of patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy experience this neurotoxicity syndrome. Although it typically resolves within the first month after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, some patients may develop delayed or long-lasting neurological problems.

In this study, the investigators will perform a comprehensive evaluation of participants undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy to study neurotoxicity. The study will use advanced neuroimaging techniques of brain magnetic resonance imaging; neurocognitive assessments; evaluation of quality of life; and blood collection to measure blood-based biomarkers. Biomarkers may be measured also in cerebrospinal fluid, if collected.

To obtain a comprehensive evaluation of brain activity, 3 different brain magnetic resonance imaging modalities will be employed: T1-post-contrast, T2/FLAIR, and diffusion-weighted sequences. In addition, resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging will be performed at the baseline visit and 3 months after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

The magnetic resonance imaging data will be applied to 3D, U-Net-based convolutional neural network that is well-validated for the detection and segmentation of brain white matter hyperintensities. The convolutional neural network magnetic resonance imaging segmentation will be integrated with neurocognition and biomarkers data to develop a model for the diagnosis of ICANS that is more quantitative and standardized compared to the current qualitative standard.

The features of neurotoxicity identified by the convolutional neural network will be correlated with biomarkers and neurocognition to evaluate the association between these parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• Patients recommended to undergo commercial chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging