Investigators are looking at biomarkers to predict the probability of cytokine-release syndrome [in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor–modified T-cell (CAR-T) therapy] so that they can intervene early. This study [from the University of Pennsylvania] identified two biomarkers that appear to predict for severe [cytokine-release syndrome], but these are still early data and we need correlative studies before this test is deemed useful in clinical practice,” stated Marcela V. Maus, MD, PhD, Director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

“For now, people in the field are using clinical markers such as fever, hypotension, and organ failure to identify [cytokine-release syndrome]. We need a clinically actionable assay, but this is not yet ready for prime time,” she added.

Dr. Maus trained under two pioneers in the development of CAR-T therapy: Michel Sadelain, MD, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and Carl June, MD, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. ■

Disclosure: Dr. Maus reported no potential conflicts of interest.