Adult Survivorship: Considerations Following CAR T-Cell Therapy

Significant improvement in overall survival observed in patients on clinical trials and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of two chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have resulted in an increasing population of survivors who have undergone this therapy. Although adult survivors may experience similar physiologic and psychosocial sequelae to traditional cancer therapies, unique late effects and considerations are related to CAR T-cell therapy.

This article reviews survivorship considerations, with particular attention paid to the physical, psychosocial, and financial effects for adults who have undergone CAR T-cell therapy.

A review of the physiologic and psychosocial sequelae resulting from CAR T-cell therapy is presented, with a focus on late effects and financial toxicities of treatment. Physiologic concerns include B-cell aplasia and resulting hypogammaglobulinemia, as well as prolonged cytopenias and associated risk for infection.

To date, adult CAR T-cell therapy survivorship data are limited. However, data from clinical trials suggest expected late effects from treatment. As this survivor population grows, research can identify physiologic and psychosocial needs unique to adult survivors and evaluate evidence-based interventions.