CAR T-cell therapy and indications for pediatric rheumatology: Structured overview of applications, risks, and considerations.

This chapter offers an overview of CAR T-cell therapy and its emerging role in pediatric rheumatology, particularly the potential impact on severe refractory autoimmune conditions in children. It examines criteria for patient eligibility, safety concerns, and potential long-term effects for young rheumatology patients, while stressing the importance of personalized and prolonged follow-up. The possibility of achieving drug-free remission in pediatric cases appears to be a possible in refractory patients; however, further studies should focus on standardizing pre-treatment protocols for children with rheumatic diseases, reducing the intensity of conditioning regimens, and implementing extended surveillance to assess therapy duration and lasting outcomes.