Forecasting Cytokine Storms with New Predictive Biomarkers.

T cells genetically modified with CD19 chimeric antigen receptors have produced impressive clinical responses in patients with refractory B-cell malignancies, but therapeutic responses are often accompanied by cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Teachey and colleagues have identified predictive biomarkers for this complication that may allow testing of earlier intervention with agents such as the IL6 receptor blocker tocilizumab to evaluate whether CRS can be ameliorated without jeopardizing clinical responses. Cancer Discov; 6(6); 579-80. ©2016 AACR.See related article by Teachey et al., p. 664. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.