DocWire News Editors

DocwireNews

A poster presented during the Oncology Nursing Society 44th Annual Congress discussed the results of implementing a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy education program to prepare nurses for possible adverse events associated with the therapy.CAR-T therapy is used for patients who did not successfully achieve remission through other treatment strategies. The immunotherapy treatment works by genetically modifying a patient&rsquo;s T-cells with a disarmed virus. When the new cells are reinfused back to the patient, they destroy cancer cells that express CD-19 antigens.When treating patients with CAR-T therapy, it is important to be aware of possible outcomes, including Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) as well as severe neurotoxicities, which could be fatal; an intensive care unit (ICU) stay will likely be necessary. Therefore, part of the collaborative educational strategy addresses treatment guidelines in the event of neurotoxicities and/or CRS. Other key points of the program include an educational breakfast to introduce CAR-T therapy to inpatient and outpatient hematology/oncology staff, emergency department educator, and ICU staff; cooperation with pharmaceutical companies; mock run of CAR-T infusion from harvest to transfusion; and creation of unit policy and patient education.The neurotoxicities treatment guidelines use a grading system with grades 2&ndash;4 to determine appropriate action. Symptoms associated with grade 2 include somnolence, confusion, or encephalopathy limiting instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), as well as dysphasia and impaired spontaneous communication. Grade 3 symptoms include obtundation, stupor, confusion, or encephalopathy limiting self-care ADL, as well as dysphasia and inability to read, write, or communicate intelligibly. Escalation to grade 4 is considered life-threatening and requires urgent intervention and mechanical ventilation. In grades 2 and 3, when concurrent CRS is not present, the recommendations are dexamethasone 10 mg IV Q6H and non-sedating anti-seizure medications. In grade 4 cases, in addition to the anti-seizure medication, it is also recommended to administer methylprednisolone 1,000 mg IV/day for three days, and then return to grades 2 and 3 treatment upon improvement.Overall, following the CAR-T therapy education, nurses reported greater confidence regarding comfort and skill level in recognizing and treating CRS and neurotoxicities.Lindsey Bashaw, RN; Pamela Bicknell, BSN, OCN, BMTCN, RN; Paul Muniz, BSN, BMTCN, RN; Kathryn Moreno, MSN, OCN, BMTCN, AOCNS, RN. Achieving Nurse readiness in the Administration, Management and Recognition of Adverse Reactions in Patients receiving Chimeric Antigen Reception T-Cell (CAR-T) Therapy

Sara Nunnery, MD, MSCI

Reclassifying HER2: What Oncologists Need to Know About HER2-Low and -Ultralow Breast Cancer

HER2 Breast Cancer

Jeffrey Perl, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Thoughts From the 2025 Lazarus Award Winner

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Brandon Twyford

DESTINY-Breast09 Demonstrates First-Line Superiority of Enhertu Plus Pertuzumab in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Latest News

An Educational Program for Management of Adverse Outcomes in CAR-T Therapy

Spring 2019 Conference coverage

A poster presented during the Oncology Nursing Society 44th Annual Congress discussed the results of implementing a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy education ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HR Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe