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)