CAR T-Cell Therapy: Adverse Events and Management

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an exciting innovation in the treatment of cancer. However, CAR T-cell therapies have been associated with unique adverse events (AEs), including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events (also known as CAR T-cell–related encephalopathy syndrome [CRES] or, most recently, immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome [ICANS]). Cytopenias and infection have also been observed. It is essential for the advanced practitioner caring for patients undergoing these therapies to have a thorough understanding of the associated AEs, in particular their grading and management.