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You can most likely find 80% of the questions you want to know here. If not, please contact us
CAR-T cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy) is an innovative immunotherapy.By collecting the patient’s own T cells and genetically modifying them in the laboratory to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) that can recognize tumor cells, these modified cells are then infused back into the patient’s body to attack and kill cancer cells.
At present, CAR-T therapy is mainly suitable for relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies, including: relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (BCMA-targeted), large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma (CD19-targeted), and acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (CD19/CD22-targeted).
According to clinical research data: the ORR of multiple myeloma patients treated with equecabtagene autoleucel reaches 98.9%, with a complete remission rate of 82.4%; the ORR of large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel is approximately 83%, with a CR rate of about 58%; the complete remission rate of B-ALL patients treated with CD19 CAR-T can reach 80–90%.
CAR-T therapy includes the following steps:
1) Initial evaluation: assess patient eligibility;
2) Cell collection: collect T cells through leukapheresis;
3) Cell preparation: laboratory genetic modification and expansion (about 2–4 weeks);
4) Lymphodepletion preconditioning: chemotherapy before infusion;
5) Cell infusion: intravenous infusion of CAR-T cells;
6) Hospital monitoring: monitor CRS and neurotoxicity (about 2–3 weeks);
7) Long-term follow-up: regularly evaluate efficacy and safety.
From the start of preparation to completion of infusion, it usually takes 4–6 weeks: 1 day for cell collection, 2–4 weeks for cell preparation, and about 2–3 weeks for hospitalization monitoring. Patients usually need to stay at the treatment location for 4–6 weeks.
In China, some CAR-T products have been included in certain cities’ inclusive medical insurance plans or commercial insurance, but coverage under the basic medical insurance is limited. It is recommended to consult local medical insurance policies and commercial insurance terms. We can assist patients in understanding relevant financial support programs.
Pre-treatment preparations include: organizing complete medical records, comprehensive physical examinations (complete blood count, liver and kidney function, cardiopulmonary function, etc.), infection screening, imaging evaluation, psychological assessment, arranging a caregiver, and preparing daily necessities for the treatment period.
The main side effects of CAR-T therapy include:
1) Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): fever, low blood pressure, and hypoxia;
2) Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS): confusion, speech impairment, and tremors;
3) cytopenia; 4) increased risk of infection;
5) B-cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia (with CD19 CAR-T).
CRS (Cytokine Release Syndrome) is a systemic inflammatory response caused by the massive release of cytokines after CAR-T cells are activated. Symptoms include high fever, low blood pressure, and hypoxemia. It is classified into grades 1–4 according to severity. Management includes antipyretics, fluid replacement, tocilizumab (an IL-6 receptor antagonist), corticosteroids, and intensive care unit (ICU) supportive treatment for severe cases.
Most CRS and ICANS cases are grade 1–2 and can be controlled with medication. According to Fucaso clinical data, the incidence of ≥ grade 3 CRS is about 30%, and the incidence of ≥ grade 3 ICANS is relatively low. The medical team will closely monitor and manage these conditions in a timely manner, and most patients can fully recover.
The cost of CAR-T therapy varies depending on the product and region. In China, the cost of the CAR-T product itself, plus hospitalization, examinations, supportive care, and other expenses, can save more than 50% compared to the United States, offering a significant price advantage.
CAR-T therapy usually requires staying in China for 4–6 weeks: 1 week for preliminary evaluation, 2–4 weeks for cell preparation, and 2–3 weeks of hospitalization monitoring after infusion. It is recommended that patients and accompanying caregivers make appropriate time arrangements.
International patients can follow these steps:
1) Contact us and submit medical records;
2) The expert team evaluates eligibility;
3) Develop a treatment plan and cost estimate;
4) Assist with medical visa application;
5) Arrange travel and accommodation;
6) Provide full-process medical interpretation and accompaniment;
7) Post-treatment follow-up management. We provide one-stop services.
We provide professional medical interpretation services, including medical record translation, doctor-patient communication interpretation, and inpatient accompaniment interpretation. The interpretation team has a medical background to ensure accurate and error-free communication.
CAR-T therapy has brought the possibility of long-term remission and even cure for some patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of multiple myeloma patients is significantly prolonged, and some patients achieve sustained complete remission. However, individual differences are significant, and evaluation should be based on the specific condition.
Some patients may experience relapse. The reasons for relapse include antigen escape and insufficient persistence of CAR-T cells. After relapse, other treatment options can be considered, such as bispecific antibodies, other targeted drugs, or a second CAR-T therapy (such as switching the target).
Yes, long-term follow-up is required after CAR-T therapy to monitor the durability of efficacy, late-onset adverse reactions, infection risk, etc. Follow-up usually includes regular complete blood counts, immunoglobulin levels, imaging examinations, bone marrow examinations, and so on.
Some patients may achieve deep remission after CAR-T therapy and may not require further treatment. Some patients may need maintenance therapy or subsequent consolidation therapy. The specific plan should be determined based on the treatment response and disease condition.
The following conditions may not be suitable for CAR-T therapy: uncontrolled active infection, severe organ dysfunction (heart, lung, liver, kidney), active central nervous system disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, previous severe allergy to CAR-T therapy, etc. A comprehensive evaluation by a doctor is required.
CAR-T is a targeted immunotherapy that uses the patient’s own immune system to attack cancer cells and has high specificity; chemotherapy consists of cytotoxic drugs that indiscriminately kill rapidly dividing cells. CAR-T may achieve long-term remission, and its side effect profile is different from chemotherapy.
CAR-T therapy is mainly suitable for:
1) relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (after at least 2 lines of treatment);
2) relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (after at least 2 lines of treatment);
3) relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A professional doctor is required to evaluate performance status, organ function, and other factors.
