16 July 2024 | Andrew D. Hughes, David T. Teachey, Caroline Diorio
The article discusses the management of cytokine-related toxicities associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. CAR-T has revolutionized cancer treatment, but it can cause severe toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-like syndrome (IEC-HS). These conditions are characterized by cytokine storms and hyperinflammation, but they differ in their underlying mechanisms. The article summarizes current understanding of these toxicities, their management, and emerging therapies that show promise in preclinical and clinical settings. It highlights the importance of understanding the biology of these toxicities to develop effective treatment strategies. CRS is the most common and potentially life-threatening toxicity, characterized by fever, hypotension, and hypoxia. ICANS involves neurological symptoms and is related to cytokine dysregulation in the central nervous system. IEC-HS is a late-onset hyperinflammation syndrome with high ferritin levels and multiorgan failure. The article also discusses the role of cytokine blockade, corticosteroids, and other emerging agents in managing these toxicities. It emphasizes the need for further research to better understand and manage these toxicities, as well as to expand the use of CAR-T in more diseases. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made, there are still many unanswered questions in the field of CAR-T therapy.The article discusses the management of cytokine-related toxicities associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. CAR-T has revolutionized cancer treatment, but it can cause severe toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-like syndrome (IEC-HS). These conditions are characterized by cytokine storms and hyperinflammation, but they differ in their underlying mechanisms. The article summarizes current understanding of these toxicities, their management, and emerging therapies that show promise in preclinical and clinical settings. It highlights the importance of understanding the biology of these toxicities to develop effective treatment strategies. CRS is the most common and potentially life-threatening toxicity, characterized by fever, hypotension, and hypoxia. ICANS involves neurological symptoms and is related to cytokine dysregulation in the central nervous system. IEC-HS is a late-onset hyperinflammation syndrome with high ferritin levels and multiorgan failure. The article also discusses the role of cytokine blockade, corticosteroids, and other emerging agents in managing these toxicities. It emphasizes the need for further research to better understand and manage these toxicities, as well as to expand the use of CAR-T in more diseases. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made, there are still many unanswered questions in the field of CAR-T therapy.