The Visionary Future of CAR T-Cell Therapy
Noopur Raje, MD, Marcela Maus, MD, PhD and Matthew Frigault, MD discuss the power and evolution of immune therapies, specifically, CAR T-Cell therapy in treating cancer.
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CAR T-cell therapy is a type of cellular immunotherapy which targets a patient’s own immune cells to use directly against their cancer cells. Unlike traditional drugs, CAR T-cells are a “living drug”, where a single infusion can produce deep and durable remissions.
Mass General Cancer Center is an authorized treatment center for FDA approved CAR T-cell therapies for adult patients with lymphoma (Breyanzi, Kymriah, Tecartus and Yescarta) and for adult patients with multiple myeloma (Abecma).
Breyanzi is FDA approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma), high-grade B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma grade 3B.
Kymriah is FDA approved for adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high grade B-cell lymphoma and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Tecartus is FDA approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (r/r MCL).
Yescarta is FDA approved for adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma (transformed follicular lymphoma). Patients must have received two or more other forms of cancer treatment which did not successfully treat their cancer.
Yescarta is also FDA approved for adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy.
View Cellular Therapy clinical trials.
View Lymphoma clinical trials.
Learn more about Mass General Cancer Center's Lymphoma treatment program.
Abecma is FDA approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
View Cellular Therapy clinical trials.
View Multiple Myeloma clinical trials.
Learn more about Mass General Cancer Center's Multiple Myeloma treatment program.
Here you will find information that you need to know about treatment with CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy for Lymphoma. For more details, please refer to our brochure.
What are T-cells?
T-cells are lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells. White blood cells fight infection.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to find and attack cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy.
What is CAR T-cell therapy? How does it work?
CAR T-cell therapy uses your own immune system to help fight cancer cells. Your blood is collected through a process called apheresis, sometimes called leukapheresis. This process separates your T-cells from the rest of your blood. The T-cells are then sent to a lab where they are engineered specifically to attack B-cell lymphoma cells. The engineered T-cells are then multiplied and shipped back to the hospital. Back in the hospital, the cells are given back to you through an IV infusion.
CAR T-cell therapy is a complex treatment. It can cause severe side effects. Because of this, it is only given during a stay in the hospital. You will be carefully monitored by your treatment team for any side effects. You will also be told about side effects and how to best care for yourself after you leave the hospital.
What is apheresis?
T-cells are collected from your blood by apheresis, a process that takes blood from the body and removes one or more blood components such as plasma, platelets, or white blood cells. The remaining blood is then returned to the body.
What is an infusion reaction?
An allergic response when the CAR T-cells are being infused into your blood. Your treatment team will monitor your vital signs and labs closely during your CAR T-cell infusion. You will also be given Tylenol and Benadryl before the CAR T-cell infusion to help stop a reaction.
How long will I need to stay in the hospital?
Your hospital stay may range from one week to one month, or potentially longer. The length of stay depends on your body’s reaction to the CAR T-cell infusion and possible side effects.
What side effects should I be aware of?
You will be very carefully monitored after your infusion for any side effects. Report any of these side effects to your treatment team right away!
Possible side effects include:
If you experience any of these side effects after you leave the hospital, call your treatment team right away:
Family members are often the first to notice changes in behavior such as trouble remembering or confusion. Family members should report these changes to your treatment team.
What can I expect before my CAR T-cell infusion?
How should I prepare? What do I need to know now to prepare for my care after my infusion?
What should I do to care for myself after I leave the hospital?
Your treatment team will talk with you about how to care for yourself when you leave the hospital. They will give you specific information about personal care, mouth care, and hand washing. They can answer any other questions that you may have.
For more information about treatment with CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy for Lymphoma, please refer to our brochure.
View our CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy for Lymphoma brochure.
Learn about our Lymphoma treatment program.
Learn about our Multiple Myeloma treatment program.
View the Abecma press release.
View Breyanzi patient education materials.
View Kymriah patient education materials.
View Tecartus patient education materials.
View Yescarta patient education materials.
Learn more about CAR T-Cell Therapy in this series of videos.
Noopur Raje, MD, Marcela Maus, MD, PhD and Matthew Frigault, MD discuss the power and evolution of immune therapies, specifically, CAR T-Cell therapy in treating cancer.
Billy Costa talks with Dr. Matt Frigault and oncology social worker Lauren DeMarco to learn more about the latest in CAR- T-cell therapies and what it all means for patients.
Kiss 108 FM’s Billy Costa talks with four experts from the Mass General Cancer Center to learn about what CAR T-cell therapy is and what impact it has on both patients and the medical community.
Kiss 108 FM’s Billy Costa gets a doctor’s perspective of CAR T-cell therapy with Mass General Cancer Center’s clinical director for the Center of Lymphoma, Dr. Jeremy Abramson.
Kiss 108 FM’s Billy Costa sits down with Dr. Marcela Maus, director of cellular immunotherapy at the Mass General Cancer Center, and discusses what CAR T-cell therapy is, who is eligible for treatments, and the future direction of CAR T-cell therapy.
Kiss 108 FM’s Billy Costa discusses CAR T-cell therapy with Mass General Cancer Center’s Dr. Matthew Frigault, medical oncologist and administrative director for Cellular Therapy Services, who explains how this therapy has the potential to impact patients in immense ways.
Kiss 108 FM’s Billy Costa chats with Mass General Cancer Center’s Lauren DeMarco, MSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW, to learn more about the emotional and psychological impacts CAR T-cell therapy has on patients.
Natalie Rosenlieb and Adam Caughhorn, both RNs at the Mass General Cancer Center, sit down with Kiss 108 Radio's Billy Costa to talk about the impact of CAR T-Cell Therapy on their patients.
This helped lead to new knowledge and breakthrough therapies.
Our support programs can help patients and their families cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Noopur Raje, MD, Marcela Maus, MD, PhD and Matthew Frigault, MD discuss the power and evolution of immune therapies, specifically, CAR T-Cell therapy in treating cancer.
Billy Costa talks with Dr. Matt Frigault and oncology social worker Lauren DeMarco to learn more about the latest in CAR T-cell therapies and what it all means for patients.
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that works by boosting the body’s immune system. Some patients achieve full remission, meaning all signs of their cancer have disappeared.
The Mass General Cancer Center is an authorized treatment center for two FDA approved CAR T-cell therapies for adult patients with lymphoma, Yescarta and Kymriah. Call or email us for a consultation.