Does CAR T-cell therapy have any side effects?
Almost half of all patients who undergo CAR T-cell therapy experience side effects, typically within the first few weeks after treatment. Many of these side effects can be managed effectively with medication.
The most common side effects include:
- Cytokine release syndrome, which involves high fever, chills, low blood pressure, muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, and a fast heart rate
- Neurologic difficulties
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)