CAR T therapy side effects are potentially consequential for multiple myeloma patients, but myeloma experts are now more experienced at managing them well, according to Noopur Raje, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Raje also stressed caregivers are essential to help identify early symptoms and help care teams determine if patients are acting normally or seem out of sorts. Responding quickly to any abnormal behavior is key.
Dr. Raje shared the safety profile of three separate CAR T clinical trials at annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting.
Side effects (also called adverse events) are measured in grades 1-4 with 4 being the most severe. When reviewing clinical trial data, experts will focus on grade 3 or higher side effects. Here are the most common side effects of CAR T therapy and strategies to overcome them.
CAR T therapy can can lower immunoglobulin levels. These lowered counts typically recover after one month but patients may be prescribed antibiotics, growth factors or IVIG or other transfusions to boost levels.
One of the most common side effects of CAR T therapy across multiple blood cancers (lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma) is cytokine release syndrome, an inflammatory response that happens as CAR T cells activate and expand. CRS in myeloma is found less frequently when compared to the other blood cancers.
CRS typically begins 2-3 days after administration and can last 7-8 days. It exhibits as flu-like symptoms with a fever and can progress to life threatening hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoxia (low oxygen) and even death. The higher the level of myeloma tumor burden, the more severe CRS can be.
When patients have high levels of C-reactive protein, high ferritin levels or high inflammatory markers including IL-6 or IL-10, they are more likely to experience CRS.
Neutropenic fevers can occur after the CAR T cells are administered, which is why patients are either admitted to the hospital for one to two weeks when the T cells are administered, or patients will be required to stay close to the facility so they can come in quickly if needed.
If CRS is caught early, tociluzumab can be administered which helps resolve the side effects quickly. The use of a steroid like dexamethasone can also be used with or without tociluzumab. Dr. Raje suggests that patients need not wait to experience grade 3 symptoms before using tociluzumab - it can be used immediately upon any signs of CRS symptoms.
Neurological issues are also possible with CAR T treatment. These include symptoms like delirium, confusion, agitation, lethargy, seizures, tremors, difficulty concentrating and cerebral swelling. The typical onset of these symptoms are between days 4-6 and they can last 14-17 days. They can occur with or without CRS and usually occur after CRS. Most neurological issues are reversible.
New guidelines have been simplified to help healthcare professionals more quickly identify neurological issues using visual checks at the bedside.
Dr. Raje mentioned that a macrophage activation-like syndrome can occur and that it is harder to treat. Measurements of ferritin, IL2R and natural killer cell activation are important and a drug called Anakinra can be considered.
about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom
Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of HealthTree Foundation (formerly Myeloma Crowd).
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