Who is CAR T for?

CAR T-cell therapy isn't for everyone. CAR T is currently available to help treat some blood cancers:

CAR T may be available if:

  • one or more of your treatment(s) did not work, or
  • your cancer returned

Ask your doctor or a medical center offering CAR T-cell therapy about CAR T. Starting the conversation may help with planning in the future.

How does CAR T work with my immune system?

CAR T-cell therapy uses your own immune cells—specifically, your T cells. CAR T involves:

1

Collecting your T cells from your blood and sending them to a specialized facility

2

Changing your T cells into CAR T cells

3

Returning your CAR T cells to your blood, where they may help your immune cells find and fight cancer

Read on to learn more.

Illustration of patient with the CAR T process explained.

Normally, T cells help to find and fight off infections and cancer cells in the body.

Illustration of T cells finding and fighting cancer cells.

In some cancers, your T cells are not able to “see” the cancer cells. This may allow cancer to grow.

llustration of T cell unable to see cancer cells.

CAR T can help your T cells fight cancer again. It does this by adding a CAR to your T cells. CAR stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor.

llustration showing how chimeric antigen receptor and Tcell become CAR T cell.

Once in your body, your CAR T cells can help find and fight cancer cells.

Illustration of CAR T cells finding and fighting cancer cells.

CAR T has provided patients with another option to treat their blood cancer.

After receiving CAR T, some patients may experience symptoms and side effects .

Tell your healthcare team about your treatment goals and expectations, and ask whatever is on your mind. If you think of any important questions before an appointment, write them down and bring them with you.

What questions might I ask my healthcare team?

  • Is CAR T-cell therapy right for me?
  • What are the steps for me to get CAR T?
  • Where can I learn more about CAR T?