CRS Explained: What Myeloma Patients Need to Know (CAR-T Side Effects in 60 Seconds) (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/crs-explained-myeloma-patients-need-know-car-t-side-effects-60-seconds)
CRS Explained: What Myeloma Patients Need to Know (CAR-T Side Effects in 60 Seconds)
CRS, or cytokine release syndrome, is a common side effect of treatments like CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma. But what does it actually mean, and should patients be concerned?
In this Myeloma in a Minute video, Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains CRS in simple terms; what causes it, symptoms to watch for like fever or low blood pressure, and how doctors manage it quickly and effectively.
If you or a loved one is considering CAR-T or other immunotherapies, this quick guide will help you feel more informed and prepared.
Dr. Joseph Mikhael:
If you have multiple myeloma, you may have heard the words CRS or cytokine release syndrome, but what does that really mean? Hi everybody. Dr. Joseph Mikhael here of the International Myeloma Foundation, and I'm going to walk us through CRS or cytokine release syndrome in less than a minute.
Cytokine release syndrome is what happens in the body when a patient is given certain treatments that we call immune treatments. That's where we're engaging the immune system to help fight their multiple myeloma. We see it with CAR T-cell therapy and we see it with bispecific antibodies. And basically what happens is when we introduce these new therapies to the body, the body gets a little bit confused. The immune system, it gets a little bit reactive to what's going on. Whether it's the infusion of T-cells that we give in CAR T-cell therapy or the presence of a bispecific or even trispecific antibody, the immune system starts releasing more hormones or what we call cytokines that can really ramp up the system that'll affect people's blood pressure, that might affect their temperature and may affect their overall wellness. Thankfully, if we can intervene quickly with cytokine release syndrome or even prevent it, patients can do very well and it can be very short-lived.
For more information about multiple myeloma or if you have questions, please come and visit us at myeloma.org.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.
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