The process of collecting, manufacturing and infusing T-cells can take several weeks.
1 Collection
- The patient’s blood is drawn into an apheresis machine
- This machine spins the blood to separate the different cells
- T-cells and some plasma are collected, and the remaining blood cells are returned to the patient’s body
2 Transport
- T-cells are sent to a specialised laboratory overseas for manufacture
3 Manufacture
- T-cells are genetically programmed with new receptors to target certain cells
- Manufacture is a complex process and can take several weeks
- While the cells are being manufactured, additional treatment may be needed to keep disease under control
- Sometimes it is not successful, and more T-cells may need to be collected
4 Transport
- T-cells are returned to the treating facility
5 Treatment
- The patient is given treatment to dampen their immune system and increase the impact of the CAR T-cells
- Millions of CAR T-cells are reinfused into the patient, where they will continue to multiply and attack specific abnormal cells
Information for patients
Published: November 2020. Next review: 2025.
These fact sheets cover:
- what T-cells are
- how T-cells are collected
- what to look out for during collection
- what happens to the cells after collection.
