Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: an overview for nurses.

Thoms, Emma; Simons, Alison

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy • To be aware of the potential side effects, adverse reactions and life-threatening acute toxicities associated with CAR T-cell therapy • To recognise what the role of the nurse may entail in relation to CAR T-cell therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a relatively new and innovative immunotherapy for haemato-oncological diseases. In the UK, CAR T-cell therapy can be used to treat some patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, CAR T-cell therapy can have side effects that have implications for patients’ physical and psychosocial well-being and may induce adverse reactions that can cause life-threatening acute toxicities. Nurses may have a significant role throughout the CAR T-cell therapy process, including in supporting patient decision-making, administering infusions, monitoring patients, identifying and managing adverse reactions, and providing follow-up care. This article provides an overview of CAR T-cell therapy and describes some of its potential side effects and adverse reactions. The authors also consider the role of the nurse and the implications for the nursing workforce in terms of meeting the needs of the increasing numbers of patients who may become eligible for this treatment as it is extended to other cancer types.

NURSES; T cells; OCCUPATIONAL roles; HEMATOLOGIC malignancies; PATIENT safety; HOSPITAL nursing staff; IMMUNOTHERAPY; CELLULAR therapy; FUNCTIONAL status; PROFESSIONAL employee training; NURSING practice; LYMPHOBLASTIC leukemia; PATIENT decision making; CELL receptors; WELL-being; B cell lymphoma

Nursing Standard, 2024, Vol 39, Issue 11, p49

0029-6570

Academic Journal

10.7748/ns.2024.e12349