Dr. Neelapu on Managing Toxicities Associated with CAR T-Cell Products in Lymphoma

Sattva Neelapu, MD, a professor of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the management of toxicities associated with CAR T-cell products in patients with lymphoma.

Two acute toxicities that are commonly associated with CAR T-cell therapy include cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), Neelapu, says. CRS typically occurs in patients within the first week of infusion, while ICANS often develops within the second week, Neelapu explains.

Typically, these adverse effects are reversible, Neelapu notes. The key to managing these toxicities is close monitoring, using the appropriate grading system to determine severity, and then treating patients accordingly, Neelapu concludes.