Table 3

Pharmacologic management of CRS and neurologic toxicities

DrugIndicationDose
Tocilizumab Left ventricular ejection fraction <40% by echocardiogram; 4 to 8 mg/kg infused over 1 h, dose not to exceed 800 mg 
Creatinine >2.5-fold higher than the most recent level prior to CAR T-cell infusion; 
Norepinephrine requirement at a dose >2 μg/min for 48 h since the first administration of norepinephrine, even if administration is not continuous; 
SBP of 90 mm Hg that cannot be maintained with norepinephrine; 
Oxygen requirement of FiO2 >50% or more for more than 2 h continuously; 
Dyspnea that is severe enough to potentially require mechanical ventilation; 
Activated PTT >2× the upper limit of normal; 
Clinically-significant bleeding; and 
Creatine kinase >5× the upper limit of normal for longer than 2 d 
Methylprednisolone CRS toxicity refractory to tocilizumab 1-2 mg/kg IV every 12 h 
Dexamethasone Grade 3 neurologic toxicities, with the exception of headaches, that last continuously for 24 h or longer;
Grade 4 neurologic toxicity of any duration; and 
10 mg IV q 6 h until either:
 Toxicities improved to grade 1 or
 less, or
 At least 8 doses have been given 
Any generalized seizure  
DrugIndicationDose
Tocilizumab Left ventricular ejection fraction <40% by echocardiogram; 4 to 8 mg/kg infused over 1 h, dose not to exceed 800 mg 
Creatinine >2.5-fold higher than the most recent level prior to CAR T-cell infusion; 
Norepinephrine requirement at a dose >2 μg/min for 48 h since the first administration of norepinephrine, even if administration is not continuous; 
SBP of 90 mm Hg that cannot be maintained with norepinephrine; 
Oxygen requirement of FiO2 >50% or more for more than 2 h continuously; 
Dyspnea that is severe enough to potentially require mechanical ventilation; 
Activated PTT >2× the upper limit of normal; 
Clinically-significant bleeding; and 
Creatine kinase >5× the upper limit of normal for longer than 2 d 
Methylprednisolone CRS toxicity refractory to tocilizumab 1-2 mg/kg IV every 12 h 
Dexamethasone Grade 3 neurologic toxicities, with the exception of headaches, that last continuously for 24 h or longer;
Grade 4 neurologic toxicity of any duration; and 
10 mg IV q 6 h until either:
 Toxicities improved to grade 1 or
 less, or
 At least 8 doses have been given 
Any generalized seizure  

These are the current treatment guidelines used for adult patients at the NCI Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch.

FiO2, fraction of inspired oxygen.

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal