Severe dyspnea caused by rapid enlargement of cervical lymph node in a relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma patient following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2019 Jul;54(7):969-972. doi: 10.1038/s41409-018-0412-1. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Abstract

Adoptive transfer of T cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19 (CART19s) has demonstrated impressive results in treating B-cell malignancies. Although CART19-induced complications have been gradually recognized, local cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) at particular parts of the body has not been extensively studied. In this paper, we firstly present a successfully treated case of severe dyspnea caused by the rapid enlargement of cervical lymph node following CART19 therapy in a relapsed/refractory DLBCL patient, with emphasis on the recognition, workup, and treatment. This report reminds for a careful evaluation and observation of the pre-existing mass, which could enlarge rapidly again as a result of CRS and be life threatening, in the CART therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods*
  • Dyspnea / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen