Chimeric antigen receptor T

The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved two autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapies tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah？) and axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta？) for patients with advanced lymphocytic malignancies. Both immunotherapies target the CD19-positive B-cell neoplasms. Kymriah？ is indicated for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and large B-cell lymphoma. Yescarta？ is indicated for lymphoma only. Although the new therapy offers a promise for patients with advanced disease, it is associated with adverse events including neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome, which can be fatal and may require a high level of multidisciplinary supportive care. Due to the risks, both Kymriah？ and Yescarta？ are subject to Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) protocols. As active members of multidisciplinary clinical teams, pharmacists are likely to be responsible for the execution of Kymriah？ and Yescarta？ REMS programs. This manuscript describes foundational science and clinical knowledge of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapies, common therapy-specific toxicities and REMS requirements for Kymriah？ and Yescarta？ in relation to practice of pharmacy