What is CAR T cell therapy?
CAR T cell therapy is a type of cancer immunotherapy that can find and fight cancer
How CAR T cell therapy works
- CAR T cell therapy is created by modifying your T cells with new receptors on the surface of the cells
- This receptor is called a chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR
- The T cell with the CAR added helps find and fight specific targeted cells, which include cancer cells and healthy cells
How CAR T cells are made
T CELL
A key fighter in your immune system.
CAR
A specific receptor (or hook) that is added to the T cell.
CAR T CELL
Your body’s T cell with the CAR added is now called a CAR T cell.
CAR T cell therapy may be considered after other treatments
Common treatments that you may have received for blood cancer:
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Chemotherapy
Targets and kills cells (both healthy and those with cancer) that divide rapidly.
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Radiation
Damages the DNA of cells in the area targeted.
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Stem cell or bone marrow transplant
Replaces unhealthy stem cells in the bone marrow.
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CAR T cell therapy may be an option
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Talk to your doctor about CAR T cell therapy
Over the past few years, some have been approved by the FDA for certain blood cancers. Some are still being studied in clinical trials.