Vision for improving patient access to CAR T-cell therapy

The Vision defines access as the proportion of eligible patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy. This is a milestone that can be benchmarked and measured in different geographies to assess the impact of interventions aimed at improving patient access. We define eligible patient as a person who meets the regulatory criteria for treatment with CAR T-cell therapy – this may vary by country or region and the Vision is meant to be adaptable to local contexts.

The phrase opportunity for cure was chosen because it articulates the ambition for transformative outcomes that is the intent of CAR T-cell therapy, while also recognizing that not all patients may reach the five-year survival mark. It also incorporates the importance of patient autonomy and choice – all eligible patients should have the opportunity to choose CAR T-cell therapy, if that is the appropriate option for them and it is available in their health system. 

The Vision does not seek to supplant ongoing initiatives by the many organizations working in the CAR T-cell therapy space. Rather, it hopes to build on them by providing a new focal point and an urgent call to action for policymakers, health system leaders, payors, providers and industry for better access to this form of therapy. It also sets the strategic direction for a series of Vision Working Groups, which will draw on more experts from the CAR T-cell therapy community to turn the Vision goals into local action. While the initial focus of the Vision is on North America and Europe (where CAR T-cell therapies are available), its scope may be expanded to other geographies in future.