The Role of Physical Therapy Following CAR T-Cell Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) affects 7 out of 100 000 people in the United States every year. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL who have not responded to 2 prior lines of therapy. CAR T-cell therapy can lead to debilitating side effects necessitating rehabilitation intervention. Case Description: This case report details a 38-year-old woman with refractory DLBCL who received CAR T-cell therapy. The patient experienced grade 2 cytokine release syndrome and grade 4 immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, which resulted in, among other symptoms, lower extremity paraplegia. Upon medical stabilization, the patient was referred to physical therapy. Outcomes: The patient participated in acute care rehabilitation for 8 weeks and progressed significantly toward her prior level of function before being discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Upon discharge, the patient was able to ambulate with a rolling walker, a knee orthosis, and supervision for safety and had initiated stair training. Discussion/Conclusion: Physical therapists need to understand and recognize the range of side effects that can occur following CAR T-cell therapy. As more patients receive CAR T-cell therapy to treat malignancies, acute care oncology units will undoubtedly be challenged with patients exhibiting severe side effects. Physical therapists are well trained to address physical impairments resulting from CAR T-cell therapy's side effects and will play a vital role in these patients' interdisciplinary care.