Rehabilitation of patients after CAR T-cell therapy. Experiences on 5 patients

Abstract

Objective: CAR T-cell therapy is an effective treatment for various relapsed or refractory haemato-oncological diseases. However, this therapy results in significant immunosuppression that lasts for months. Whether these patients are at risk during a rehabilitation stay, e.g., due to infections, has not yet been answered.

Methods: We describe the rehabilitation stay under special hygienic conditions of the five patients rehabilitated in our clinic after CAR T-cell therapy. Complications that occurred during rehabilitation are reported, as well as the positive effects of rehabilitation on physical performance, polyneuropathic complaints, anxiety and depression, and individual limitations.

Results: One patient reported signs of infection already at the beginning of rehabilitation. This was treated with antibiotics, and rehabilitation could be continued. No complications occurred in any of the other patients. All patients reported having benefited physically and psychologically from the rehabilitation, and two expressed the intention to return to work.

Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first report on several patients after CAR T-cell therapy. Based on the limited data, there is no reason to withhold a rehabilitation stay from patients after CAR T-cell therapy.

Keywords: CAR T-cell therapy; Infection; Rehabilitation; Safety.