Stem cell transplants in older patients have, historically, had lower success rates than those in younger patients. This presentation describes several new promising strategies to improve transplant outcomes and survival rates in older patients. Many thanks to Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie Company, and Janssen Biotech, Inc., Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Omeros Corporation, whose support, in part helped make this workshop possible.

Advanced age has traditionally been seen as prohibitive for treatments like stem cell transplants and CAR T therapy. This presentation reviews evidence that overall fitness is a crucial factor in reducing non-relapse mortality and that otherwise healthy elderly patients can have successful outcomes after transplant and CAR T-cell therapy.

The age of patients undergoing a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy is increasing, but older patients are often not as fit as younger adults. Transplant and CAR T-cell therapies can be modified to increase the likelihood of success for old adults.