The study found that the incidence of CRS and severe neurologic problems decreased over the course of the study, possibly due to the centers gaining more experience and this trend has continued.ĭr. Other side effects included coma, serious infections, low blood cell counts and weakened immune systems. Thirteen percent experienced life-threatening cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can cause high fever and flu-like symptoms, and 28% of patients experienced neurologic problems including encephalopathy (diseased brain), 21% confused state, 9% aphasia (difficulty communicating), 7% and somnolence (excessive sleepiness), 7%. Stiff said.ĭetails in the report included that 95% of patients experienced at least one side effect that was severe. "This is impressive, since most patients had exhausted all other care options," Dr. In the study, 42% of patients who underwent the CAR T treatment were in complete remission after a median follow-up of 15.4 months. Millions of these genetically modified T-cells then are infused back into the patient. There, the cells are genetically modified to include a gene that instructs the cells to target and kill lymphoma cells. T-cells are collected from the patient and sent to a lab. To fight the cancer, the treatment harnesses a patient's T-cells (white blood cells that are part of the immune system). The patients had certain types of large B-cell lymphoma and had not responded to or had relapsed after undergoing at least two other treatments, including chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. The study included 111 patients from 22 centers, including Loyola. "The therapy should not be considered a cure-all, since some of the patients did relapse after the therapy."īased on results of the study, the Food and Drug Administration approved a CAR T treatment called Yescarta. "We are taking a very measured approach to this new therapy, which is effective, but also potentially toxic," Dr. Stiff said Loyola would carefully inform patients of the pros and cons of this new therapy if it is presented as an option. The cost of the treatment is also considerable to patients. He cautioned that while the therapy could potentially cure patients who have run out of other options, it also can cause severe side effects. Stiff said Loyola is preparing to offer the treatment early next year to carefully selected lymphoma patients who have failed earlier treatments. Two other companies, Novartis and Juno Therapeutics, also are developing CAR T-cell cancer treatments.ĭr. The treatment used in the study, which involves a cell therapy called CAR T, is offered by Kite Pharma. Patrick Stiff, MD, director of Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, is a co-author of the study, published Decemin the New England Journal of Medicine. MAYWOOD, IL – Loyola University Medical Center is the only Chicago center that participated in the pivotal clinical trial of a groundbreaking cancer treatment that genetically engineers a patient's immune system to attack cancer cells.
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