Nursing management for adult recipients of CAR T-19 therapy

Abstract: With limited cancer treatment options available for patients with certain types of advanced or recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia and certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the recent FDA approvals of tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah, formerly known as CTL019), and axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), CAR T-cell therapy provides a new opportunity to achieve cancer remission for many patients.1,2 These genetically enhanced T cells can destroy cancer cells. This article explores the science behind CAR T-cell therapy and ways critical care nurses can recognize and intervene in potentially life-threatening adverse reactions associated with this new therapy: cytokine release syndrome and CAR T-cell-related encephalopathy syndrome.3