ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CART cell therapy has been implemented as clinical routine treatment option during the last decade. Despite beneficial outcomes in many patients severe side effects and toxicities are seen regularly that can compromise the treatment success. METHODS: Literature review: CAR Tcell therapy, toxicities and their management RESULTS: The cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and the immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) are seen regularly after CAR Tcell treatment. CRS symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe organ dysfunction requiring vasopressor therapy, mechanical ventilation and other intensive care support. ICANS symptoms usually develop later and can range from disorientation and aphasia to potentially life-threatening brain edema. IL6 is a key factor in the pathophysiology of CRS. The pathophysiology of ICANS is not fully understood. The ASTCT consensus grading is recommended to stratify patients for different management options. An interdisciplinary team including hematologist, intensivist, neurologists and other specialties is needed to optimize the treatment. DISCUSSION: Severe and potentially life-threatening toxicities occur regularly after CAR Tcell therapy. Treatment strategies for CRS and ICANS still need to be evaluated prospectively. Due to the increasing number of patients treated with CAR Tcells the number of patients requiring temporary intensive care management due to CRS and ICANS is expected to increase during the next years.
Subject(s)
Critical Illness , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Critical Care , Critical Illness/therapy , Cytokine Release Syndrome , Humans , T-LymphocytesABSTRACT
Raoultella planticola is a gram-negative, encapsulated, aerobic bacterium within the Enterobacteriaceae family. It has been primarily described as pathogen in cases with pneumonia and gastrointestinal infections. Here we describe a case of severe pelvic cellulitis in a patient with neutropenia following induction therapy for myeloid sarcoma. The patient experienced a septic shock and was treated successfully with antibiotic therapy. A literature review is provided to put this case in context with previous reports on R. planticola. This report highlights that awareness for uncommon pathogens is crucial in the clinical management of infections in neutropenic patients.