Sometimes the biggest questions about a treatment aren’t about how it works — but about what life looks like during recovery.
CAR T-cell therapy has transformed treatment options for many blood cancers, but the experience involves far more than the infusion itself. Patients and care partners often have practical questions about what happens before treatment begins, what the recovery period looks like, and how daily life may change in the weeks and months that follow.
In this episode of Thrive!, we take a closer look at the full CAR T-cell therapy journey — from preparation to recovery. Guided by insights from BMT InfoNet’s webinar Ask the CAR T Experts, this Deep Dive brings together perspectives from Dr. Jay Spiegel of the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Diana Cirstea of Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, and psychosocial specialist Margaret Franzetti, LCSW.
Together, they address real questions from patients and care partners navigating CAR T therapy: how the process unfolds from leukapheresis through infusion, what side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity can look like, how infection risks are managed at home, and the important role care partners play throughout recovery.
In this week’s news update, we look at recent reporting from The New York Times exploring how physicians evaluate research on dietary supplements — and why transplant recipients should approach supplements cautiously. We also highlight the legacy of Dr. Rainer Storb, a pioneer in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation whose work helped shape modern transplant medicine. In addition, we share a resource that may help: BMT InfoNet’s Caring Connections program, which offers peer support for transplant and CAR T recipients and their families.
Whether you’re considering CAR T therapy, supporting someone through treatment, or working with patients in a clinical setting, this episode offers practical context, expert insight, and a clearer understanding of the path from preparation through recovery.
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Welcome!
01:02 Updates – Supplements and Transplant Safety
02:56 Updates – Honoring a Pioneer: Rainer Storb
04:58 A Quick Note
06:21 Something That May Help – Caring Connections
07:23 Deep Dive – Cold Open
08:12 Deep Dive – The CAR T Option
09:34 Deep Dive – CAR T: What Are the Steps Involved
11:07 Deep Dive – What Are the Most Common Side Effects
12:09 Deep Dive – How Long Do CAR T Cells Survive in the Body
13:23 Deep Dive – How Can I Avoid Infections
14:21 Deep Dive – How Long Do I Need a Caregiver
16:12 Deep Dive – Lingering Symptoms After CAR T
16:53 Deep Dive – Quality of Life After CAR T
17:58 Deep Dive – Takeaways
19:22 One Last Thought
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
News Articles Mentioned
The New York Times – Doctor Tips on Supplements and Research
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/well/doctor-tips-supplements-research.html
ASH News Daily – Honoring a Pioneer in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
https://ashpublications.org/ashnewsdaily/news/8953/Honoring-a-Pioneer-in-Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell
Deep Dive Presentation
Ask the CAR T Experts
https://bmtinfonet.org/video/ask-car-t-cell-experts
Something That May Help
BMT InfoNet – CAR T Support Groups
https://bmtinfonet.org/event/car-t-support-group
Additional Resource
Herbs and Supplements: Are They Safe for Transplant Recipients?
https://bmtinfonet.org/video/herbs-and-supplements-are-they-safe-transplant-recipients
Book
CAR T-Cell Therapy: What to Expect Before, During and After
https://bmtinfonet.org/product/car-t-cell-therapy-what-expect-during-and-after
Join the BMT InfoNet Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/bonemarrowstemcelltransplantclub
Email us
thrive@bmtinfonet.org
Links were active at the time of publication.
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