Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) has become a revolutionary treatment for hematological malignancies, specifically for relapsed or refractory cases. Though there is a significant improvement in patient outcomes, there is a considerable burden on caregivers. Despite the scenario, the burden associated with caregivers in the context of CAR-T cells remains less explored. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing research on caregiver burden in CAR-T therapy for hematologic malignancies, identifying key themes, gaps, and areas for future investigation.
METHODS: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and hand-searched using Google Scholar for studies published up to June 2025. Included studies focused on psychological, physical, social, or financial burdens faced by informal caregivers of CAR-T recipients.
RESULTS: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. All the included studies were from high-income countries and mostly prospective observational or mixed-method studies. Post-infusion, the anxiety levels and depression levels ranged from 20-47% and 17-48%, respectively, for caregivers. A dyadic qualitative study found that caregivers intense relational and emotional strain causes challenges in finance and logistics. Similarly, another study found that caregivers’s necessity to be available round the clock has created a huge financial impact and social toxicity for them. One longitudinal study noted increased caregiver preparedness over time but continued distress due to uncertainty in patient prognosis. Moreover, the distress caused by the caregiver is always less recognized by the clinical as well as support teams.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a multidimensional and significant burden on a caregiver of patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy for hematological malignancies. This review clearly found that there is more emotional and relational distress, which could potentially lead to financial and logistical complications. Future research should address standardized burden assessment and evaluate tailored interventions.