Page 2 - CAR-T Brochure 2024

CLL SOCIETY
What is CAR-T therapy?
• CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is a cellular immune treatment that genetically trains an individual’s own immune system (specifically, the T-cells which are a type of white blood cell) to both recognize and attack cancerous CLL cells.
• CAR-T cells are sometimes said to be equivalent to giving patients a “living drug.” This is because CAR-T cells are manufactured on an individual basis to target CD19, a surface protein found on many different types of blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• CLL cells are experts at hiding from the immune system. To better find and kill the cancer, the patient’s T-cells are re-engineered to make artificial receptors called CARs. These CARs identify certain proteins (antigens) on the surface of the cancer cells and destroy them.
Why do those with CLL need to understand CAR-T therapy long before they ever need it?
• Many patients eventually become refractory (or stop responding) to different therapies.
• CAR-T therapy has been shown to work well in very tough-to-treat cases of CLL where the patient’s disease has returned (relapsed) after many different treatments and few other treatment options remain.
• It’s wise with CLL to be aware of, and seek to understand all possible therapies, and to plan ahead when it comes to anticipating what the next treatment options might be.
What to Know About the Use of CAR-T Therapy