Practical aspects of CAR-T cell therapy.

BACKGROUND

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been gradually building its position in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Currently, there are three types of autologous anti-CD19 CAR-T cells approved for the treatment of selected relapsed B cell non-Hodgkins lymphomas and acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia in the Czech Republic. Additional clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate CAR-T cell therapy that targets other tumor-specific antigens. It is expected that some of these CAR-T cells will be approved for the treatment of other hemato-oncological dia-gnoses in the near future. Manufacturing and management of CAR-T cell therapy have been optimized. European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy have updated their recommendations for the management and treatment of early CAR-T cell toxicity based on valuable experience gained during several years. Nevertheless, late toxicity remains an issue. It is crucial for patients undergoing this highly specific therapy to stay in follow-up for several decades. Intensive research and development have been devoted to manufacturing new CAR constructs with higher efficacy and lesser toxicity. A significant improvement in the availability of this, otherwise very expensive treatment, is expected from universal allogeneic T cells that will express CAR binding to tumor-specific antigen.

PURPOSE: This review is focused on the preparation and administration of autologous CAR-T lymphocytes.