Sex Differences in Outcomes of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy

BACKGROUND: Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has arisen as a revolutionary treatment for hematologic malignancies. Our study aimed to evaluate how sex differences affect outcomes and complications following CAR T-cell therapy.

METHODS: Utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2018-2020), we identified patients and divided them into male and female groups. Hospital outcomes and complications were compared among these two groups after propensity score matching to match groups based on comorbidities, producing two comparable cohorts.

RESULTS: We analyzed 2928 patients (1832 males, 62.6%, mean age 60.3 ± 13.7 years; 1096 females, 37.4%, mean age 59.1 ± 13.8 years). After propensity score matching (1:1ratio), 1092 males and females were compared. There were no significant sex differences in early mortality (adjusted odd ratios (aOR): 1.04 [95% CI 0.69-1.57]), 30-day readmissions (aOR: 1.05 [95% CI 0.86-1.30]), or nonhome discharge (aOR: 0.89 [95% CI 0.60-1.31]). Females had higher odds of leukopenia (aOR: 1.26 [95% CI 1.06-1.50]) but lower odds of acute kidney injury (aOR: 0.68 [95% CI 0.52-0.88]).

CONCLUSIONS: No sex differences were found in hospital outcomes, including early mortality, 30-day readmission, and nonhome discharge after CAR T-cell therapy.