Predictors and responses to varying durations of BTK inhibitor bridging therapy before anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL

Background: Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has demonstrated clinical potential in treating relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, enhancing its therapeutic efficacy remains a significant challenge. To this end, bridging therapy with Brutonyg tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi), such as ibrutinib or zanubrutinib, is being investigated as a strategy to improve treatment outcomes. Patients and methods: In this retrospective analysis, we assessed the impact of different durations of BTKi bridging therapy prior to anti-CD19 CAR-T cell infusion in 33 patients with R/R DLBCL. Patients meeting predefined eligibility criteria, including the presence of at least one high-risk prognostic factor. These 33 patients were stratified into two groups based on the duration of BTKi exposure: ≥x months versus