Key clinical point: Patients with chemotherapy-refractory, high-grade B-cell lymphoma can safely receive and benefit from CAR T-cell therapy, even if they are HIV positive.

Major finding: Both patients achieved complete remission (lasting at least 1 year and at least 28 days); one experienced cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicity that resolved with treatment.

Study details: Report on two patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for HIV-associated, refractory, high-grade B-cell lymphoma. One patient had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of germinal center B-cell subtype. The other patient had AIDS-associated, non–germinal center B-cell, Epstein-Barr virus–positive DLBCL.

Disclosures: Dr. Abramson reported that he has acted as a paid member of the scientific advisory board and as a paid consultant for Kite Pharma, which markets Yescarta, and several other companies.