Imaging in patients with brain tumors aims toward the determination of the localization, extend, type, and malignancy of the tumor. Imaging is being used for primary diagnosis, planning of treatment including placement of stereotaxic biopsy, resection, radiation, guided application of experimental therapeutics, and delineation of tumor from functionally important neuronal tissue. After treatment, imaging is being used to quantify the treatment response and the extent of residual tumor. At follow-up, imaging helps to determine tumor progression and to differentiate recurrent tumor growth from treatment-induced tissue changes, such as radiation necrosis. A variety of complementary imaging methods are currently being used to obtain all the information necessary to achieve the above mentioned goals. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveal mostly anatomical information on the tumor, whereas magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography (PET) give important information on the metabolic state and molecular events within the tumor. Functional MRI and functional PET, in combination with electrophysiological methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation, are being used to delineate functionally important neuronal tissue, which has to be preserved from treatment-induced damage, as well as to gather information on tumor-induced brain plasticity. In addition, optical imaging devices have been implemented in the past few years for the development of new therapeutics, especially in experimental glioma models. In summary, imaging in patients with brain tumors plays a central role in the management of the disease and in the development of improved imaging-guided therapies.

The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy with impressive response rates in hematologic malignancies but also promising data in solid tumors came along with the cognition of unexpected, potentially life-threatening immune-mediated toxicities, namely the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity recently referred to as “immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome” (ICANS). These toxicities require urgent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and targeted modulation of key cytokine pathways represents the mainstay of CRS treatment. However, as the underlying mechanisms of ICANS are not well understood, treatment options remain limited and further investigation is warranted.Importantly, after the recent market approval of 2 CAR-T cell constructs, the application of CAR-T cells will expand to nonacademic centers with limited experience in the management of CAR-T cell-associated toxicities.Here, we review the current evidence of CRS and ICANS pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment.

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