Der Internist
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The transfusion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‑cells has become established as a new treatment option in oncology; however, this is regularly associated with immune-mediated side effects, which can also run a severe course and necessitate a specific treatment and intensive medical treatment. ⋯ Potentially severe complications regularly occur after CAR T-cell therapy. An interdisciplinary cooperation between intensive care physicians, hematologists, neurologists and specialists in other disciplines is of decisive importance for the optimal care of patients after CAR T‑cell therapy.
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Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment is a novel immunotherapy utilizing the patient's own immune system as a "weapon against tumor cells". In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), CAR T-cell therapy has been investigated in clinical trials. The current data on B‑cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted CAR T-cells have shown impressive efficacy, and official approval is expected shortly. ⋯ Moreover, the treatment can cause severe adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity with lethal outcome. The cost-benefit ratio of this treatment also needs to be optimized. Despite these limitations, CAR T-cell therapy represents an attractive option for patients with MM and has the potential to be incorporated into the standard of care.