CAR T-cell therapy offers new hope to people with cancer and other diseases that don’t respond to standard treatments. We offer extensive experience in this groundbreaking therapy.
Medically reviewed by Brian Jonas, M.D. on Oct. 12, 2023.
CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy reprograms your immune cells to better target diseases. Because it uses your immune system, it is considered a type of immunotherapy.
At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are regional leaders in the development and use of CAR T-cell therapy. Our new Malignant Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Transplantation Program offers advanced treatments and clinical trials. We are the first in the region to manufacture CAR T cells on site.
Your immune system constantly monitors your body for potential threats. White blood cells called T cells are key to this process. All T cells have proteins on them called receptors.
To understand how the therapy works, it’s important to know the components involved:
T cell receptors and antigens fit together like a lock and key. T cell receptors will only latch on to — and destroy — the antigen they match.
Sometimes, your immune system’s T cell receptors don’t recognize a cancer cell’s antigens. Other times, they can’t mount a response large enough to neutralize the threat.
Scientists can now re-engineer T cells to have receptors that identify and match specific antigens. These CARs quickly target the disease and destroy it.
Our cancer specialists provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Learn more about how to make an appointment at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.
For providers in UC Davis Medical Group or our Cancer Care Network
For providers who are external clinicians
It takes several weeks to complete CAR T-cell treatment. The process involves three main steps and then close monitoring by your medical team for more than a month. Our specialists identify any side effects so we can address them quickly and effectively.
We draw blood from your arm with an IV over two to three hours as you sit or lie down. Your blood flows through the IV line into a special machine. This machine filters out the T cells and returns the blood to your body. We then refrigerate your T cells and send them to the UC Davis Health stem cell program.
In our lab, we add a gene to your T cells that matches their receptor to the specific disease you have. These CAR T cells then multiply over several weeks until we have millions. Because we engineer the CAR T cells on-site, they don’t have to be frozen, which helps maintain their quality.
You may undergo a process called lymphodepleting conditioning before you are infused with your new CAR T cells. Lymphodepleting conditioning uses chemotherapy to decrease your immune cells to make room for the CAR T cells. A few days later, we infuse you with your CAR T cells using an IV.
While effective, CAR T cell therapy does have potential side effects. Some can be serious, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). To help avoid and treat these complications early, we closely watch you both in and out of the hospital.
Sometimes, multiplying CAR T cells release proteins called cytokines. Cytokines can cause your immune system to overreact and trigger inflammation throughout your body.
CAR T-cell therapy can cause issues in your nervous system. As a result, some may experience headaches, loss of consciousness or balance, tremors or seizures or difficulty communicating.
Other potential CAR T-cell therapy side effects include allergic reactions, low blood cell counts, too many minerals in your blood and an increased infection risk.
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