key points about how quickly CAR-T therapy works:
- Initial response time:
- The time to first response is typically around one month after CAR-T cell infusion.
- In some studies, up to 90% of patients with certain types of leukemia and lymphoma achieved remission after receiving CAR-T therapy.
- Complete response timeline:
- Complete resolution of cancer lesions may take up to 9-12 months after CAR-T cell therapy.
- In some cases, responses can continue to improve over time, with partial responses converting to complete responses months after treatment.
- Duration of hospital stay:
- Patients typically stay in the hospital for about 2-3 weeks after CAR-T cell infusion for close monitoring.
- Following discharge, patients need to stay within 30 minutes of the hospital for up to 30 days after treatment.
- Long-term effects:
- CAR-T cells can persist in the body for months or even years after a one-time treatment, continuing to fight cancer cells.
- Long-term remissions have been observed in some patients, particularly those with B-cell malignancies treated with CD19-targeted CAR-T cells.
- Factors affecting response time:
- The speed and durability of response can vary based on the type of cancer, its stage, and individual patient factors.
- Earlier administration of CAR-T therapy in the course of disease may lead to faster and more durable responses.
It's important to note that while some patients may experience rapid responses, others may take longer to show improvement. Additionally, the durability of responses can vary, with some patients experiencing long-term remissions while others may relapse.
Sources:
National Library of medicine: Management of Patients treated with CAR-T cell therapy.
National Library of medicine: CAR T-Cell Persistence
Nature: CAR T therapies in multiple myeloma
Mayo clinic: CAR-T cell therapy
