CAR T-Cell Therapy

What Is CAR T-Cell Therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy is a cancer treatment that uses your body’s own immune system to target and eliminate cancer. The name stands for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. It’s a type of cellular immunotherapy, often used for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

This treatment helps your immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

How CAR T-Cell therapy works

Your immune system includes T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps protect your body. Normally, T cells search for and destroy abnormal cells. But cancer cells can disguise themselves, making it hard for your immune system to find and get rid of them.

CAR T-cell therapy helps by:

• Collecting your T cells from your blood
• Modifying them in a lab to better recognize cancer cells by adding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)
• Growing more of these cells
• Returning them to your body through an IV to help destroy the cancer

Once inside your body, these re-engineered T cells are better at finding and destroying the cancer.

What makes CAR T-Cell therapy different?

Unlike treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, CAR T-cell therapy is customized just for you. It’s often a one-time infusion, using your own cells to create a stronger immune response.

Some of the main advantages include:

• Targeted response: The CAR protein helps T cells better identify and eliminate cancer cells.
• Personalized care: Your own cells are used, which may reduce the risk of rejection.
• Hope after other treatments: It’s often used when other treatments haven’t worked.

Although not a guaranteed cure, for some people CAR T-cell therapy may lead to complete and long-term remission.

Who is a good candidate for CAR T-Cell therapy?

Not everyone with cancer is eligible for CAR T-cell therapy. Your health care team will consider:

• The type of cancer you have – CAR T-cell therapy is approved for some types of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
• Your previous treatments – It’s often used after chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant.
• Your overall health – Your immune system needs to be strong enough to handle the treatment.

If CAR T-cell therapy is an option, your doctor will guide you through the process and what to expect.

What to expect during treatment

CAR T-cell therapy happens in several steps:

• T-cell collection: A process called apheresis is used to take T cells from your blood.
• Cell modification: In the lab, your T cells are reprogrammed to find cancer more effectively.
• Cell multiplication: The modified cells are grown until there are enough to treat your cancer.
• Lymphodepleting chemotherapy: Before the infusion, you may get low-dose chemo to make room in your body for the CAR T cells.
• CAR T-cell infusion: Your modified cells are returned to your body through an IV.
• Monitoring and recovery: You’ll be closely monitored for side effects and response to treatment.

The process can take a few weeks to complete, and some people may need to stay in the hospital for part of it.

Possible side effects of CAR T-Cell therapy

Because CAR T-cell therapy activates your immune system, it can cause side effects—some mild, some more serious.

Common side effects include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache

More serious side effects may include:

• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS): A strong immune reaction that can cause high fever, low blood pressure or trouble breathing.
• Neurological effects: Confusion, difficulty speaking or seizures in some patients.

Your care team will watch for these side effects and treat them quickly if they happen.

How CAR T-Cell therapy compares to other treatments

CAR T-cell therapy works differently from chemotherapy or radiation:

• Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroys fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. It often causes hair loss and nausea.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target cancer in a specific area.
• CAR T-cell therapy uses your own immune cells to find and eliminate cancer, with side effects that come mostly from immune system activity.

While chemo and radiation are often given in multiple doses, CAR T-cell therapy is usually given just once, followed by careful monitoring.

The future of CAR T-Cell therapy

Researchers continue to improve CAR T-cell therapy so it works for more types of cancer and causes fewer side effects. Current studies are exploring:

• CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors like lung and breast cancer
• Combining CAR T cells with other cancer treatments
• Faster manufacturing of CAR T cells for quicker treatment

Some patients may be able to join clinical trials to access new versions of this therapy before they become widely available.

Why choose Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center for CAR T-Cell therapy?

At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, you’ll find:

• Expert care teams trained in delivering CAR T-cell therapy safely and effectively
• Access to clinical trials offering the latest treatment options
• Coordinated care with support from oncology nurses, pharmacists, and specialists in immunotherapy
• Whole-person support, including mental health services and survivorship planning

If you or a loved one is living with blood cancer, CAR T-cell therapy may be a treatment option. We’re here to help you understand your choices and guide you every step of the way.

Learn more about our Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program. 

Contact Banner MD Anderson today to schedule a consultation and explore next steps in your cancer care.