Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells and other immunotherapies have markedly changed the paradigm of treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. While notable in efficacy, immunotherapy is characterized by a significant possibility of life-threatening side effects. Consequently, patients are often required to have informal family caregivers present and to stay near the treating center for several weeks after cell infusion. Further, the responsibility of managing a great deal of physical care and emotional support falls to these caregivers. Given the novelty of immunotherapy treatment, there is a need to better understand the psychosocial experience of patients receiving this treatment and their caregivers. This article describes the psychosocial characteristics of patients undergoing cellular immunotherapies and their caregivers across time, including patient/caregiver distress, coping, and caregiver burden and preparedness.
Keywords: CAR-T; cancer; caregiver; cellular immunotherapy; psychosocial.