ICANS
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ICANS stands for Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Neurological complication of CAR-T cells and some bispecific antibodies, causing confusion, word-finding difficulty, tremor, impaired handwriting, seizures and, rarely, fatal brain swelling. It typically appears within the first one to two weeks and often follows cytokine release syndrome.
Example: ICE score fell from 10 to 6 with expressive aphasia on day 5: grade 2 ICANS, dexamethasone started.
Usage notes
Patients are screened several times a day with the 10-point Immune Effector Cell Encephalopathy (ICE) score, which includes naming objects, writing a sentence and counting backward. Corticosteroids are the main treatment, unlike CRS, for which tocilizumab is first-line. Patients are advised not to drive for about two months after CAR-T infusion. Pronounced "EYE-cans."
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- HLH – Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- HNSCC – Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- HR+ – Hormone receptor-positive
- HS – Hereditary spherocytosis
- HSCT – Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Hyper-CVAD – Hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin…
- ICI – Immune checkpoint inhibitor
- IDA – Iron deficiency anemia
- IDC – Invasive ductal carcinoma
- IMRT – Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- irAE – Immune-related adverse event
- ITP – Immune thrombocytopenia
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.