CAR-T - Looking for statistical data for over 70 age group

@joefmsi2020, welcome. Sorry to hear that the cancer is back, but encouraged that CAR-T cell therapy may be an option for you. Given the newness of this therapy, there may not be significant amounts of statistical data out there. Your oncology group may have more access to data than an internet search will reveal.

I found this related article however, where health status should be considered over or as well as age factor.

- Health Status, not Age, Should Determine CAR T Eligibility https://moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/health-status-not-age-should-determine-car-t-eligibility/

It's possible that @grandpabob and @raemark were in the 70+ category when they underwent CAR-T cell therapy.

Thank you for the reply. My oncologist feels that it is the best option for me now (after meeting today). She said I am a good candidate for this type of treatment. It is sort of scary but probably not any more than the chemo for the last several months. Thanks again.

Hello Joe - I was 62 when I had the treatment. Prepping for Cart was not particularly difficult, having all the pre therapy tests was quite typical, the apheresis process (Took about 3 hours) to harvest the cells was very straight forward. I underwent 3 sessions of chemotherapy prior to the modified T Cell infusion. Once the cells were modified, the infusion of the new T – cells was very simple. It was the second day after that that I started to encounter side effects. I had pretty much all the published side effects that we were told about. Neuro toxicity, Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), slow heart rate, high fever. I spent 2 weeks in hospital one of them in the ICU. I encourage you to take note of all the side effects that are described by your practitioner. I was extremely weak for some time after I left the hospital. Though I encountered many of the side effects, the treatment did save my life.

I hope you find this information helpful, be cognizant of the fact that side effects and their degree can be different for everyone.

When will the pre treatment process start, Joe?

Bob,

Thank you for the information. My biggest concern is the side affects you refer to. Seem as though that is the biggest risk and concern.

With regard to when it would all start, the doctors are telling me that Nov. 7th would be the first day of the actual process (harvesting). Other than that the schedule has not been finalized at this point. “Team Joe” and I will be going to the CAR T education process on 10/26.

Bob - I forgot to ask how long ago was your treatment? I am wondering about longevity of the treatment.

Joe - I had the treatment in 2018. I read an article out of California where some people of senior age have gone past 10 years. I also learned from a younger person (20’s) that had the treatment at the same time as me, that the treatment had no effect on their cancer whatsoever. As with any other treatments, Car T can vary by person it seems. Feel free to reach out at any time, I will be happy to share my experience with any questions you may have. Enjoy the education class and I wish you the best on these next steps in your treatment.

Bob,

Thank you for the response.

Best regards,

Joe

Is this an online education process? My boyfriend is starting the treatment and I have many questions! Thanks!

I don’t know of an online “education” program. I do know there are some basic outlines and videos that explain the process.

One that was helpful to me was: lls.org/patient-education-videos/car-t-cell-therapy

There is another site for a specific CAR T treatment. As I understand it, there are different versions of CAR T. This is the one I will be using for my condition:

breyanzi.com/

Hope this helps.

Best of luck.o

Joe

@lmn, is your boyfriend getting his CAR-T therapy at Mayo Clinic?