Infectious complications of car T-cell therapy: A longitudinal risk model.

Background: CAR T-cell therapy, where a patient's own T cells are re-engineered to express a receptor to a target of interest, is becoming an increasingly utilized cancer-directed therapy. There are significant toxicities that contribute to a novel state of immunocompromise, leading to new patterns of infectious complications that require further detailed study.

Methods: We created a single-center cohort of adult recipients of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy and assessed infectious outcomes, supportive care received, toxicities, and markers of immune function up to 2 years following CAR T-cell therapy.

The effect of broader, directed antimicrobial prophylaxis including fungal coverage on perioperative infectious complications after radical cystectomy.

Objectives: Radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion has a significant risk of infection. In an effort to decrease the rate of infectious complications, we instituted a broader, culture-based preoperative antimicrobial regimen, including fungal coverage, and studied its effect on infectious complications after RC.

Materials And Methods: In May 2013, antimicrobial prophylaxis for RC was changed at our institution after review of previous positive cultures.