Cytokine Release Syndrome and CAR T Cell Therapy: Understanding the Risks – SurvivorNet

A growing number of patients with advanced cancer are able to benefit from treatment with CAR T cell therapy, a living drug that involves genetically modifying a patients own immune T cells then infusing them back into the body to fight off cancer. The treatment is highly technical, and while it can be a lifesaving option, it also carries with it the risk of potentially serious side effects. Dr. Sid Ganguly,Deputy Director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, explains the risks associated with one of these side effects called cytokine release syndrome.

During CAR T cell therapy, when patients receive an infusion of their own immune T cells that have been genetically altered, these T cells will usually begin to attack the cancer cells straightaway. In the process of doing so, they release signaling molecules called cytokines. The release of cytokines can cause a number of symptoms and reactions that vary in terms of severity. Because symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening reactions, doctors will often refer to different grades of cytokine release syndrome.

Often, if [cytokine release syndrome] is mild, we call it grade 1, Dr. Ganguly says. Many of the patients stay in grade 1, and we use supportive measures like Tylenol and antibiotics, and they get better. The symptoms of grade 1 cytokine release syndrome may mirror that of the flu think fever and elevated heart rate.

If the Tylenol and antibiotics dont help the patient get better, the cytokine release syndrome may be elevated to grade 2. With grade 2, patients may experience low blood pressure and require more specialized treatment measures, such as oxygen, fluid resuscitation, and low doses of pressors that maintain blood pressure.

Beyond grade 2 cytokine release syndrome, patients often need to be transferred to the intensive care unit and monitored extremely closely.

When cytokine release syndrome reaches stage 4, Dr. Ganguly says, it becomes really life-threatening and serious.

When cytokine release syndrome advances beyond the supportive measures, then we have to use specific treatment, Dr. Ganguly says, explaining that this may entail an anti-cytokine, which is a medication that counteracts the cytokines.

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Dr. Siddhartha Ganguly is aMultiple Myeloma Specialist at the University of Kansas. Read More

A growing number of patients with advanced cancer are able to benefit from treatment with CAR T cell therapy, a living drug that involves genetically modifying a patients own immune T cells then infusing them back into the body to fight off cancer. The treatment is highly technical, and while it can be a lifesaving option, it also carries with it the risk of potentially serious side effects. Dr. Sid Ganguly,Deputy Director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, explains the risks associated with one of these side effects called cytokine release syndrome.

During CAR T cell therapy, when patients receive an infusion of their own immune T cells that have been genetically altered, these T cells will usually begin to attack the cancer cells straightaway. In the process of doing so, they release signaling molecules called cytokines. The release of cytokines can cause a number of symptoms and reactions that vary in terms of severity. Because symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening reactions, doctors will often refer to different grades of cytokine release syndrome.

If the Tylenol and antibiotics dont help the patient get better, the cytokine release syndrome may be elevated to grade 2. With grade 2, patients may experience low blood pressure and require more specialized treatment measures, such as oxygen, fluid resuscitation, and low doses of pressors that maintain blood pressure.

Beyond grade 2 cytokine release syndrome, patients often need to be transferred to the intensive care unit and monitored extremely closely.

When cytokine release syndrome reaches stage 4, Dr. Ganguly says, it becomes really life-threatening and serious.

When cytokine release syndrome advances beyond the supportive measures, then we have to use specific treatment, Dr. Ganguly says, explaining that this may entail an anti-cytokine, which is a medication that counteracts the cytokines.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Siddhartha Ganguly is aMultiple Myeloma Specialist at the University of Kansas. Read More

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Cytokine Release Syndrome and CAR T Cell Therapy: Understanding the Risks - SurvivorNet