Photos courtesy of Mayo Clinic
A Breakthrough for People with Cancer
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is an advanced therapy that can help people whose cancer has been unresponsive to other treatments such as chemotherapy. It has proven effective for treating certain types of blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, and other conditions undergoing clinical studies. Doctors at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center are successfully using CAR-T cell therapy to help people achieve life-changing results, including long-term complete remission for some people.
How it Works
CAR-T cell therapy is a highly individualized treatment that begins by removing some of a person’s own white blood cells, which include T-cells. Next, the T-cells are genetically altered to target and attack cancer cells and multiplied in a lab. Finally, the modified cells are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream. Once the altered cells are returned to the body, they are capable of recognizing cancer cells, and latching onto and destroying them.
Improving the Treatment Experience
Patients who receive CAR-T cell therapy are often required to stay at the hospital. However, the team at Mayo Clinic has applied years of learnings from its bone marrow transplant program to allow for outpatient CAR-T cell therapy, which enables people to enjoy more freedom.
Patients can stay any place within 30 minutes of the hospital, where there is a dedicated space and team ready to support their needs 24/7. Treatment lasts 4-6 weeks, and wearable monitoring technology is used to inform patients of changes in their health and notify them if they need attention from their care team.
Shaping the Future of CAR-T Cell Therapy
Mayo Clinic currently has many clinical trials underway that are designed to expand access and improve the efficacy and efficiency of CAR-T cell therapy. One such trial includes an in-house manufacturing lab where patients’ cells are modified on site instead of using an outside lab. This helps patients save time and money that is traditionally spent sending the cells to external partners for biomanufacturing.
Providing Support Throughout the Entire Journey
People who come to Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center are met with complete support at every stage of the cancer journey, from screening and prevention, through treatment and survivorship. The people and families who seek treatment inspire the team to work tirelessly toward discovering the next innovations in cancer care and making them accessible as quickly and safely as possible.
