MANAGEMENT OF CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME AND NEUROTOXICITY ASSOCIATED WITH CAR T-CELL THERAPY

Abstract

Introduction: CAR-T cell therapy represents a strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies; however, it may be associated with adverse events, such as Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS), making nursing involvement in early recognition and monitoring essential. Objectives: To analyze the scientific evidence on nursing care in the management of CRS and ICANS related to CAR-T therapy, identifying clinical manifestations, assessment tools, and nursing interventions. Methodology: A review conducted in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, supplemented by a search in Google Scholar. Materials published between 2016 and 2026, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish in the databases, and in Portuguese in the supplementary search, were considered. A total of 15 publications were included, 12 from PubMed and VHL and three from Google Scholar. Results: The studies highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring, ASTCT classification, and the ICE score. Nursing care involves identifying signs of deterioration, providing guidance to patients and caregivers, administering prescribed therapies, documentation, and communication with the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: Nursing care contributes to the monitoring of patients undergoing CAR-T therapy, making professional training and the expansion of scientific evidence on this practice essential.