CAR T-Cell Therapy: Considerations for the Inpatient Dermatologist

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies are becoming more widely utilized across several cancer types and in clinical trials for hematological malignancies, solid organ malignancies, and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, there is a need to better understand the spectrum of cutaneous adverse events associated with CAR T-cell therapy, especially in the inpatient setting, where they most often occur. Immune-related toxicities, including dermatologic reactions, are increasingly recognized complications of CAR T-cell therapy, with cutaneous eruptions ranging from mild rashes to severe bullous eruptions. The cutaneous adverse effects of CAR T-cell therapy are often under-recognized and poorly understood, and they may signal deeper systemic immune dysfunction, emphasizing the important role of dermatologists in early recognition, diagnosis, and management. Further research is needed to clarify the pathophysiology of cutaneous reactions, determine whether they correlate with therapeutic response, and develop standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols to improve outcomes.