Chylothorax after chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report.

RATIONALE

Anti-CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is effective in treating relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This therapy is associated with several side effects that can be life-threatening such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). However, chylothorax associated with CRS after CAR-T therapy has not been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 23-year-old male diagnosed with DLBCL relapsing after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was treated with anti-CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy. After CAR-T cell transfusion, he developed grade 3 CRS includes fever, dyspnea, tachycardia and hypotension. The symptoms of CRS persisted and chest plain film revealed bilateral pleural effusion.

DIAGNOSIS

Chylothorax was confirmed by the pleural effusion analysis that triglyceride level was 1061 mg/dL. Bacterial and fungal culture of pleural fluid reported no pathogen was detected. Cytological examination of pleural effusion revealed no malignant cells.

INTERVENTIONS

The chylothorax resolved after treatment with intravenous administration of tocilizumab.

OUTCOMES

On 30-day follow-up, the patient was in stable clinical condition with complete remission of DLBCL on whole-body positron emission tomography scan.

LESSONS

We reported a rare case of CAR-T associated chylothorax in a patient with relapsed and refractory DLBCL. Grade 3 CRS with high interleukin-6 level was presented in our patient. The symptoms of CRS were improved with tocilizumab treatment and the chylothorax resolved later on. It is suggested that high interleukin-6 releases might induce chyle leakage resulting from activations of endothelium and coagulation. Our finding highlights the occurrence of chylothorax during the course of CAR-T cell therapy and the importance of proper monitoring and prompt management of this life-threatening side effect.