Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, commonly called CAR-T therapy, represents one of the most important advances in cancer immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas. While its use is expanding nationwide, access to this highly specialized cellular therapy remains limited in many regions.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBP) is helping close that gap by offering the region’s first fully outpatient CAR-T program, making this advanced therapy more accessible for patients in and aroundBaton Rouge.
Led by Dr. Andrew Dalovisio, the program allows eligible patients to receive CAR-T therapy while remaining near home, improving comfort and quality of life while maintaining close clinical monitoring.
“CAR-T has fundamentally changed how we think about treating aggressive B-cell malignancies,” said Dr. Dalovisio, Director of the Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Cellular Therapy program at MBP. “For the right patient, it offers a targeted and potentially durable option when other therapies have failed.”
CAR-T therapy is a personalized cellular treatment that uses a patient’s own immune system to target cancer. The process involves several steps:
Because CAR-T uses autologous immune cells, it is distinct from chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, or stem cell transplantation and offers a highly targeted mechanism of action.
CAR-T therapy is currently FDA-approved for several hematologic malignancies. MBP can evaluate patients with:
This broad spectrum ensures that referring physicians treating these diagnoses know their patients may be eligible for evaluation.
CAR-T therapy is especially valuable for patients whose disease has not responded to conventional treatments. Its benefits include:
For CAR-T to be most effective, early referral is critical. “We often see patients only after all options have been exhausted,” Dr. Dalovisio explained. “At that point, disease burden or performance status may limit eligibility. Early consultation allows us to assess candidacy sooner and improve the chance of successful treatment.”
Referring physicians play a key role in identifying patients with early relapse or primary refractory disease who may benefit from timely evaluation.
One of the most distinctive features of MBP’s program is its ability to deliver CAR-T therapy entirely in the outpatient setting. This model offers several advantages:
This approach is supported by MBP’s coordinated infrastructure, including infusion services, patient navigators, and streamlined communication with referring providers.
Recent updates to the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements have further expanded access to outpatient CAR-T. The required post-infusion monitoring period has been reduced from 30 days to 14 days, decreasing geographic and logistical barriers.
Outpatient CAR-T requires a reliable support system to ensure safety during the monitoring period. Each patient must have a designated caregiver who can:
MBP supports patients and caregivers through education, symptom-reporting protocols, patient navigation services, and 24/7 clinical access. This structured approach allows CAR-T to be delivered safely without routine inpatient admission.
MBP’s CAR-T program is built on partnership with referring providers. Physicians receive:
“Our role is to complement the referring physician’s long-term relationship with the patient,” said Dr. Dalovisio. “We focus on delivering CAR-T therapy and then return the patient to their primary oncology team for continued management.”
Early referral does not require certainty that a patient will proceed to CAR-T therapy. Consultation is encouraged when:
Early collaboration allows the MBP team to assess eligibility, plan timing, and coordinate care while the patient is still an appropriate candidate.
Our team will determine eligibility and guide next steps. Please include recent clinical notes, pathology, and treatment history when available. For assistance or more information, contact Shannon Hyde at shyde@marybird.com.
Fax: (225) 215-1661Phone: (225) 767-1311
