CAR T cell therapy patient resources - Bristol Myers Squibb

CAR T Cell Therapy Myths Debunked:

Your guide to what cell therapy is (and isn't)

Living with blood cancer can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to making treatment decisions. It’s important to understand what cancer treatment options are available and how they differ by asking questions and working with your healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate path for you. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an innovative treatment that’s FDA-approved for certain blood cancers. Because of the cutting-edge science behind it, CAR T cell therapy may sometimes be misunderstood. Keep reading to learn the facts about this treatment.

Explore CAR T cell therapy patient resources

Understanding the CAR T treatment experience

Myth — CAR T cell therapy is too new, and it has only been studied for a couple years.

Fact — CAR T cell therapy has been researched for over 30 years.

Myth — CAR T cell therapy is only used as a last resort, after chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant.

Fact — For certain blood cancers, CAR T cell therapies may be used as early as after relapse or failure of initial treatment, which may or may not include a stem cell transplant.

Myth — CAR T cell therapy is the same as an autologous stem cell transplant.

Fact — They are different types of treatments.

Myth — Receiving CAR T cell therapy is a long, difficult infusion process compared to stem cell transplant.

Fact — The CAR T cell therapy process* includes a one-time infusion that typically takes 30 minutes, whereas an autologous stem cell transplant infusion can last 1-5 hours. Other key factors include:

Myth — The side effects of CAR T cell therapy outweigh the benefits this therapy can provide.

Fact — Research demonstrates that, with a single infusion, CAR T cell therapy has been effective at producing improved outcomes in patients where another treatment option(s) has stopped working.

Myth — My treatment center doesn’t offer CAR T, so I probably can’t get it.

Fact — If you are eligible to receive CAR T cell therapy, your doctor can refer you to a certified CAR T cell therapy center.

Myth — CAR T cell therapy is too expensive, and insurance doesn’t cover the cost.

Fact — Cancer treatment costs can be a very important consideration for patients. The majority of commercial insurance plans and most government payers cover CAR T cell therapies.

Want to learn more about CAR T cell therapy?
Consult your care team to see if this treatment is right for you,
or find a certified treatment center near you.