Cytokine Storm, Explained for Cancer Patients

Cytokine storm is an extreme, out-of-control immune reaction where the body releases too many inflammatory "messenger" proteins (cytokines). It can happen with infections, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, some cancers (especially lymphomas), and certain cancer treatments that strongly activate the immune system (such as CAR T cell therapy). This plain-English guide explains what the Nature Reviews Disease Primers paper says about how cytokine storm starts, why it can spiral, what symptoms and lab clues clinicians watch for, and how it is treated.