Cited by 1,272CAR-T cell therapy researchImmunotherapy and Immune ResponsesT-cell and B-cell Immunology

CAR T cell–induced cytokine release syndrome is mediated by macrophages and abated by IL-1 blockade

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Giavridis, Theodoros, van der Stegen, Sjoukje J. C., Eyquem, Justin, Hamieh, Mohamad, Piersigilli, Alessandra, Sadelain, Michel·2018·Nature Medicine

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy targeting CD19 is an effective treatment for refractory B cell malignancies, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 1 . Although a majority of patients will achieve a complete response following a single infusion of CD19-targeted CAR-modified T cells (CD19 CAR T cells)2-4, the broad applicability of this treatment is hampered by severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which is characterized by fever, hypotension and respiratory insufficiency associated with elevated serum cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6)2,5. CRS usually occurs within days of T cell infusion at the peak of CAR T cell expansion. In ALL, it is most frequent and more severe in patients with high tumor burden 2-4. CRS may respond to IL-6 receptor blockade but can require further treatment with high dose corticosteroids to curb potentially lethal severity 2-9. Improved therapeutic and preventive treatments require a better understanding of CRS physiopathology, which has so far remained elusive. Here we report a murine model of CRS that develops within 2-3 d of CAR T cell infusion and that is potentially lethal and responsive to IL-6 receptor blockade. We show that its severity is mediated not by CAR T cell-derived cytokines, but by IL-6, IL-1 and nitric oxide (NO) produced by recipient macrophages, which enables new therapeutic interventions.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41591-018-0041-7

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  • Therapy for cytokine release syndrome and its neurological toxicity chiefly targets IL-6, which probably originates from monocytes or activated endothelial cells.

    “Treatment for CRS and associated neurotoxicity primarily targets IL-6, likely arising from monocytes or activated endothelium [1, 6, 11–17].”

    From Immune reconstitution and clinical recovery following anti-CD28 antibody (TGN1412)-induced cytokine storm (2021) · cites this paper as [12]

    The paper’s main text (indexed under Abstract; page unavailable) says CRS may respond to IL-6 receptor blockade and identifies recipient macrophages as the main overall source of IL-6, while also finding IL-6 transcripts in monocytes. It does not establish activated endothelial cells as an IL-6 source or say that treatment of associated neurotoxicity primarily targets IL-6; instead, it discusses IL-1 blockade as a potential way to reduce neurotoxicity. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • IL-1 and IL-6 are involved in the lethal cytokine storm sometimes seen in CAR-T treatment.

    “IL-1 and IL-6 are involved in the lethal cytokine storm sometimes seen in CAR-T treatment (353, 354).”

    From IL-6 in inflammation, autoimmunity and cancer (2021) · cites this paper as [354]

  • Recent studies in mice suggest that cytokines and factors mediating the severity of CAR T-cell-induced cytokine storm are produced by macrophages, not CAR T cells, and can be reversed by interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 blockade.

    “recent studies in mice suggest that the cytokines and factors mediating the severity of cytokine storm are produced not by the CAR T cells but by macrophages and can be reversed by interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 blockade.52-54”

    From Cytokine storm (2020) · cites this paper as [53]

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Authors
Giavridis, T., van der Stegen, S. J. C., Eyquem, J., Hamieh, M., Piersigilli, A., & Sadelain, M.
Affiliations
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
Corresponding author
Sadelain, Michel
Venue
Nature Medicine
Published
2018-05-28
Volume
24
Issue
6
Pages
731-738
ISSN
  • 1078-8956 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-170X
OpenAlex
W2803430447
Cited by
1,272
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 120 · 2025: 126 · 2024: 165 · 2023: 172 · 2022: 159 · 2021: 188 · 2020: 186 · 2019: 113 · 2018: 42
FWCI
49.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation
  • Juno Therapeutics
  • National Cancer Institute (P30CA008748)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › CAR-T cell therapy research
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Keywords
cytokine release syndrome, CAR T-cell therapy, CD19, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, macrophages, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, IL-1 blockade, IL-6 receptor inhibition, mouse model, B-cell malignancies
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Interleukin-1, Macrophages, Neoplasms, Syndrome, Cytokines, Immunotherapy, Adoptive, Myeloid Cells, Mice, Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein

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