[CARs, CRS and neurotoxicity: severe complications after administration of immunotherapy : Essentials for intensivists]. / CAR, CRS und Neurotoxizität: schwere Komplikationen der Immuntherapie : Was der Intensivmediziner wissen muss.

BACKGROUND: The development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T­cells has shown promising results in relapsed/refractory B­cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL) and diffuse large cell B­cell lymphoma. Complications, especially cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and CAR T­cell related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES), can be life threatening. The management of both plays a key role in CAR T­cell therapy. OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis, clinical presentation and development of complications in the treatment with CAR T­cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Summary of incidence, mortality and treatment of severe complications after administration of CAR T­cells referring to current studies and therapy recommendations. RESULTS: Complications after administration of CAR T­cells, especially CRS and CRES, can be life threatening. The timely identification of side effects and their appropriate treatment usually leads to complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Using a therapy algorithm in the treatment with CAR T­cells allows safe management of toxicities and can be helpful in recognizing them in time.

[Diagnosis and treatment of immune-related adverse events during checkpoint inhibitor therapy in intensive care medicine]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von immunvermittelten Nebenwirkungen durch Checkpointinhibitoren in der Intensivmedizin.

BACKGROUND: Due to the use of checkpoint inhibitors, intensive care units will be confronted with an increasing number of patients with immune-related adverse events. A broad spectrum of symptoms and potentially lethal consequences make diagnosis and treatment challenging. OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis and treatment of immune-related adverse events in the treatment with checkpoint inhibitors with a special focus on intensive care units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of current publications about incidence, symptoms and treatment of adverse events after the use of checkpoint inhibitors relevant for intensive care medicine. RESULTS: Immune-related adverse events during therapy with checkpoint inhibitors are difficult to diagnose and present with various symptoms. Severe complications can often successfully be treated with early therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The early treatment of immune-related adverse events according to their severity is needed to prevent a potentially life-threatening course.