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We are thrilled to share that the Emily Whitehead Foundation has contributed to the publication of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immune effector cell-related adverse events.

These guidelines, published for open access in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), are the result of critical review and recommendations made by the SITC Immune Effector Cell-related Adverse Events Guideline Expert Panel—which included Emily Whitehead Foundation Co-founder Tom Whitehead among the selected group of physicians, nurses, and patient advocates.

The panel was convened to establish a clear set of guidelines for responding to any adverse reactions that a patient may experience from CAR T-cell immunotherapy. Conclusively, the hope is that these recommendations will assist clinicians in making a quick diagnosis and treatment plan for any presented side effects, thus improving patient outcome and effectiveness of treatment.

“It is an honor to be included on this panel and to have a voice as a parent throughout this process,” says Whitehead. "It has been a longtime goal for our Foundation to collaborate in the development of education such as this. We continue to do everything we can to help families have the same success as we did and with fewer side effects from treatment."

With immunotherapy now recognized as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment, it is important that research into identifying cause and treatment for adverse side effects continues to progress.

 

Learn more about CAR T-cell therapy.