Present challenges impacting the management of psychological symptoms in patients receiving CAR-T therapy or stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy are crucial in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. While HSCT has been long established as a mainstay of the treatment of these diseases, CAR-T is a newer therapy with the potential to change the treatment landscape. Both cellular therapies are time and resource intensive, which has put stressors on patients that are unique from those associated with other forms of oncologic treatment.

AREAS COVERED: In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge of psychological symptoms associated with HSCT and CAR-T and their management. In addition, we discuss the models of patient reported outcomes (PROs) used to perform this research. We performed a literature review on PubMed using keywords including 'palliative care, palliative care integration, hematologic malignancy, patient reported outcome, psychological care, and quality of life.' We included papers published before 1 April 2025.

EXPERT OPINION: We propose further investigations into integrated models of oncologic and palliative care teams and their efficacy.