Pragmatic Geriatric Assessment Before CAR-T or Bispecific Antibody Therapy to Predict Side Effects and Outcomes in Older Patients (GA-ACT Trial)

CAR-T cell or bispecific antibody therapies are a new treatment option for adult patients with aggressive forms of lymphoma or so-called plasma cell diseases ('multiple myeloma', 'plasma cell myeloma') that could not be cured with other, less intensive approaches. However, these are intensive therapies that can be associated with severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. Although there is no age limit for these therapies, we know little about the short- and long-term side effects of these treatments in people of advanced age.

Although a small number of patients in the pivotal studies were even over 80 years old, their number was too small to be able to assess the tolerability and success specifically in people over 65. At present, the treating physicians decide whether and, if so, which patients are considered 'fit' enough for this therapy. An objective assessment of the kind we want to investigate in our study does not currently exist on a regular basis. In this study, we therefore want to use simple clinical methods to investigate the effects of these forms of therapy in different areas of everyday function that are important for people in older age (mobility, memory, self-care skills, nutrition). We want to find out whether these investigations help to predict the risk of severe and/or long-term side effects. Based on the results, a pragmatic geriatric assessment could be introduced as standard before these therapies. Older patients could thus expect an improvement in their quality of life thanks to more predictable risks and side effects. Standardized screening could lead to lower healthcare costs for treatment and aftercare for both forms of therapy.