Cervical Local Cytokine Release Syndrome Following Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

The use of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for hematologic malignancies is rapidly increasing, and appropriately managing adverse events (AEs) is crucial. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a common AE of CAR-T therapy, characterized by systemic symptoms such as fever and respire-circulatory failure. We present two cases with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accompanied by a rare complication of cervical local CRS as an acute inflammatory reaction at a specific site after CAR-T infusion. Case 1: A 60-year-old gentleman with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) developed grade 1 CRS on day one that required three doses of tocilizumab. Then he developed remarkable cervical edema as local CRS on day five. His local CRS spontaneously improved from day seven without additional therapy. Case 2: A 70-year-old gentleman with DLBCL developed grade 1 CRS on day two that required three doses of tocilizumab. Then he developed remarkable cervical edema and muffled voice as local CRS on day three. He received dexamethasone because of concerns about airway obstruction, and his local CRS improved immediately after dexamethasone administration. Before Tisa-Cel infusion, neither patients had a lymphoma lesion in their necks. To summarize, local CRS may occur at the site without lymphoma involvement after CAR-T therapy. An appropriate diagnosis and careful observation are required to determine the need for additional treatment.