CAR T-Cell Therapy
Puede encontrar esta información en español en lin
myeloma.org/car-t
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy is a personalized treatment that uses your own T-cells. CAR-T works better when your immune system is healthier, so ask your doctor early if CAR-T is right for you and when would be the time to use it. TIMING
➊
varies
➋
2–4 weeks
➌➍ 2–4 weeks
➎
3–5 days
➏➐
1 month and then ongoing check-ins
Step-by-Step
1. Referral: Discuss with your healthcare team whether CAR-T is right for you. 2. C AR-T collection: Your T cells are collected from your bloodstream. 3. M aking CAR-T cells: Your own T-cells are modified to fight your myeloma. 4. B ridging therapy: Temporary treatment to control myeloma while your cells are being modified. 5. Lymphodepletion: Low-dose pre-treatment to help your CAR-T cells work. 6. C AR-T infusion: Your healthcare team returns your CAR-T cells to you through an IV. 7. M onitoring: Your healthcare team checks for side effects in the hospital or clinic.
Pros and Cons
Pros C AR-T is a highly effective treatment S ome who don’t qualify for stem cell transplant do qualify for CAR-T M ost have a better experience after CAR-T compared to stem cell transplant M any patients get a treatment break after CAR-T
Cons You must have a care partner Anxiety of waiting for your CAR-T cells Side effects can be serious Close monitoring for several weeks near the treatment center