Cellular therapy in mantle cell lymphoma: recommendations from the EBMT practice harmonisation and guidelines committee
TL;DR
Recommendations developed provide a sound basis for practical counseling and decision-making in the care of patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory MCL.
Abstract
Cellular therapies, namely autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT), allogeneic HCT (alloHCT) and more recently, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CART), play a major role in state-of-the-art treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). With numerous therapeutic innovations currently entering the MCL treatment landscape, guidance for indication, sequencing and application of cellular therapies is of key importance. To address this practical need, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Practice Harmonisation and Guidelines Committee convened an international expert meeting in Berlin on Sept 29/30, 2025. EBMT provided funding and logistical support. Two appointed chairpersons invited experts in MCL and cellular therapy, who completed three work packages devoted to the three types of cellular therapy. A literature search was performed beforehand and suitable published evidence was considered collectively in structured discussions and consensus-building exercises. The recommendations developed as a result of this process provide a sound basis for practical counseling and decision-making in the care of patients with treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory MCL.