Early Identification and Referral for CAR T in Spain

Timely identification and referral are an important first step in the patient journey to CAR T-cell therapy. The delivery of CAR T-cell therapy is influenced by both clinical and system factors, which determine whether eligible patients are offered treatment. Recognizing this complexity, the Spanish Ministry of Health published a national Plan for the Approach to Advanced Therapies in the National Healthcare System in 2018.⁸⁶

Building on the national policy environment, the IDEaL project (Identificación y Derivación Temprana de Pacientes con Linfoma Candidatos a Terapias CAR-T) was launched in 2024. Its aim was to analyze the CAR T-cell therapy landscape in Spain, and to develop guidance and recommendations to improve identification and referral for people living with lymphoma who are eligible for CAR T-cell therapy. The IDEaL project involved three leading professional societies (see below) and was sponsored by Gilead and Kite.⁸⁶

Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH – the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy)
Grupo Español de Linfoma y Trasplantes de Médula Ósea (GELTAMO – the Spanish Group for Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplants)
Grupo Español de Trasplante Hematopoyético y Terapia Celular (GETH-TC – the Spanish Group for Hematopoietic Transplant and Cell Therapy)

The IDEaL project’s CORE working group consisted of 9 hematology specialists, who developed practical recommendations and specific guidance for each type of lymphoma with a European Medicines Agency approved indication for CAR T-cell therapies.⁸⁶ The recommendations are based on working group insights and an online survey of 81 hematology specialists working in the National Healthcare Service (SNS). They are available online and free to use, supporting hematology specialists around Spain in determining eligibility for CAR T-cell therapy.⁸⁶

Spain: Supporting early identification and referral