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Targeted therapy for blood cancer
CAR-T therapy is a type of immunotherapy that harnesses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. It’s the newest innovation for treating blood cancers that have not responded to traditional treatment, including lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma.
Corewell Health is among the few U.S. medical centers leading CAR-T therapy and research, a promising option for treatment-resistant blood cancers. Research shows high success rates with patients reporting improved quality of life, including better general health, mental well-being, energy, and daily function.
How it works
T-cells are white blood cells within your immune system that protect your body against infection. CAR-T therapy modifies your T-cells to help them seek out and kill cancer.
Chemotherapy
A few days before receiving the CAR-T cells, chemotherapy may be given to reduce other immune cells, giving the CAR-T cells a better chance to work effectively.
Collecting T-cells
A doctor will use two IVs to draw blood, separate and collect white blood cells, then return the rest of the blood. This process, called leukapheresis, typically takes several hours.
Genetic modification
In a lab, those T-cells are reprogrammed with a special chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to recognize and attack cancer cells. The modified cells are then allowed to multiply.
CAR-T cell infusion
Those new CAR-T cells are infused back into the body through an IV. Once back in the body, the CAR-T cells seek out and destroy cancer cells, boosting the body’s natural defense.
This therapy usually has long-lasting effects because of the CAR-T cell’s ability to replicate within your body for months after infusion.
What to expect
Long-term remission
Research and clinical trials with CAR-T therapy have shown promising results for blood cancers that haven't responded to other treatments. About 80% of patients who experience a complete response remain cancer-free for years. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, many patients have reported significant improvements in their quality of life.
Some of the current results include:
50-80% overall response rate
The percentage of people in a study or treatment group who have either a partial or complete response to the treatment within a certain period of time.
40-60% complete response rate
The disappearance of all signs of cancer in the body.
~15% partial response rate
A decrease in the size of a tumor or in the amount of cancer in the body but some cancer still remains.
Potential side effects
CAR-T therapy side effects can include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing due to cytokine release syndrome
- Low blood pressure
Neurological side effects may also occur, such as:
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Seizures
Other possible side effects include:
- An allergic reaction
- Low blood levels of potassium, sodium, or phosphorus
Your doctors will monitor you closely and take preventive measures to manage these side effects.
Need deeper understanding?
Speak with a specialist to learn more or get a second opinion to confirm a diagnosis or to validate treatment.