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CAR-T
Immunotherapy enhances the power of a patient’s immune system to attack tumors. An immunotherapy approach, called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, uses patients’ own immune cells to treat their cancer
How does CAR T-cell therapy treat leukemia?
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that improves the ability of T-cells to attach to leukemia cells and destroy them. T-cells have proteins called receptors that bind to antigens (another type of protein) on cells that pose a threat. Once attached, the T-cells activate, multiply, and send signals to the immune system to destroy the diseased cells.
Different types of leukemia and other blood cancers have unique antigens. Sometimes, T-cells don’t have the right receptors for a cancer cell antigen. As a result, the T-cells can’t bind to them, and the leukemia cells grow out of control. CAR T-cell therapy changes the T-cells so they can attach to and destroy cancer cells. To determine whether CAR T-cell therapy can help, patients undergo a genetic test (a type of blood test) to identify the cancer’s antigen type.
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What resources are available?
Fact Sheets and Guides ›
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Helpline ›
leukemia Support Network ›
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What can I do to help?
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How Does CAR T-cell Therapy Work?
In CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma, a lab modifies a patient's blood cells to help them fight cancer cells in the blood. Once a patient's blood is drawn, a lab engineers the T-cells to gain a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which can bind to a protein on the cancer cells. The CAR T-cells are multiplied to produce more engineered T-cells. When there are enough of these special cells, they are reintroduced to the patient via a blood infusion.malignant plasma cells then produce an abnormal antibody called M protein, high levels of which are a hallmark characteristic of multiple myeloma.
![Diagram of bone structure, plasma cells, and multiple myeloma cells.](https://www.cancer.gov/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_article/public/cgov_image/media_image/2019-09/nci-vol-11776-150.jpg?h=30063a04&itok=DOvVfHWL)
Approved CAR T Cell Therapies in leukemia
Approved CAR T Cell therapies include:
Approved drug | Approved drug indication |
---|---|
Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) |
|
Inaticabtagene Autoleuce(CNCT19) |
CAR T Cell Process
1. Leukapheresis
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/LRF18512_PROC1_V2-1006x1024.png)
Your T cells are obtained through a process called leukapheresis, which usually takes three to four hours.
2. T-Cell Engineering
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAR-T-Cell-Engineering.png)
The T cells are sent to a processing center where they are genetically engineered to target your lymphoma.
3. CAR T Cell Transport
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAR-T-Transport.png)
Once enough of the CAR-T cells are available at the processing center, the cells are frozen for transport to your certified treatment center.
4. Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Chemo-197x200-1.png)
A few days prior to your CAR-T cell infusion, you will receive low-dose chemotherapy.
5. CAR T Cell Infusion
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAR-T-Infusion.png)
A few days after completing chemotherapy, you will receive your CAR-T cells at your certified treatment center.
6. CAR T Cells Attack the Lymphoma
![](https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAR-T-Attack.png)
Once the CAR-T cells enter your body, they begin to multiply and attack the lymphoma cells.
Patient Stories
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**Иностранные пациенты ищут лечение: Лучшая терапия CAR-T в Китае! Первый российский пациент с множественной миеломой успешно очистил опухоль и достиг CR!** В течение пяти лет после постановки диагноза высокорисковой множественной миеломы, господин Ф. испытывал невыносимые страдания. Несмотря на различные схемы химиотерапии и два пересадок, ему не удавалось полностью избавиться от кошмара непредсказуемых рецидивов и прогрессирования Read More
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**Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad: The Best CAR-T Therapy is in China! The First Russian Multiple Myeloma Patient Successfully Achieves Complete Tumor Clearance and CR!** Over the five years following his diagnosis of high-risk multiple myeloma, Mr. F endured relentless pain. Despite undergoing various chemotherapy regimens and two transplants, he could never completely escape the nightmare Read More