Progress of cytokine release syndrome caused by chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy

As a novel immune therapy for cancer, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy has attracted more and more attention. Toxicities of CAR-T therapy include cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurologic toxicities and on-target, off-tumor toxicity. CRS, which is the most severe adverse event of CAR-T immunotherapy, affects many organs, such as cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, hematological systems, and so on. Besides symptomatic treatment, tocilizumab (anti-interleukin monoclonal 6 antibody), etanercept (anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody) and glucocorticoid are the core treatments to control CRS. Better understanding of CRS promotes the application of CAR-T immunotherapy. Key words: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell; Cytokine release syndrome; Clinical manifestation