A study conducted with the participation of Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute (FCS) has found comparable quality and safety outcomes for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy at both accredited and non-Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)-accredited treatment centres. The findings will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

The research evaluated data from more than 6,800 adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who underwent CAR T-cell therapy across accredited and non-accredited clinical settings. The study assessed treatment safety, quality outcomes, time to next treatment and healthcare resource utilization following therapy.

According to the findings, patients treated at non-FACT accredited centres experienced broadly similar early safety outcomes compared with those treated at accredited facilities. Researchers also observed no statistically significant differences in time to next treatment and found no evidence of increased healthcare resource utilization following treatment.

Lucio N. Gordan, MD, President and Managing Physician at Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute and Co-Author of the study abstract, said the results suggest that high-quality CAR T-cell therapy can be delivered effectively beyond accredited centres while maintaining strong patient outcomes.

The study also highlighted the role of treatment location in improving patient access and experience. Since FACT accreditation is currently held by a limited number of cellular therapy programmes nationwide, many patients receiving treatment at accredited centres are required to travel longer distances to access care.

Ameet Patel, MD, Director of Cell Therapy at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, noted that convenient access to treatment facilities is a critical factor in delivering positive patient outcomes. He added that expanding CAR T-cell therapy services across community-based clinics can help reduce travel burdens while ensuring patients receive advanced cancer treatments closer to home.

CAR T-cell therapy is a highly specialised form of personalised cancer treatment that modifies a patient's own immune cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. The therapy requires dedicated clinical teams, specialised infrastructure and close monitoring throughout the treatment process.

FACT accreditation is designed to recognise centres that meet rigorous standards in patient care, cell collection and processing, staff training, treatment protocols and quality assurance practices.

Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute continues to expand access to advanced oncology treatments through its statewide network and robust clinical research programme. The organisation conducts more than 180 active clinical trials annually and has played a role in providing patients with access to innovative therapies before regulatory approval.

The study findings add to ongoing discussions about expanding access to complex cancer therapies while maintaining high standards of care, particularly for patients who may otherwise face significant travel and logistical challenges in seeking treatment.