ASTCT Consensus Grading: Standardized criteria for Cytokine Release Syndrome. Grade is dictated by the highest severity level reached in any category (Fever, Hypotension, Hypoxia).
1. Temperature
2. Hypotension
3. Hypoxia
ASTCT 2019 CRS Grade
-
Patient does not meet the ASTCT 2019 criteria for CRS (Fever is mandatory).
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Grading the severity of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) following immune effector cell (IEC) therapy (e.g., CAR-T).
To guide clinical management, including the initiation of tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
Standardizing toxicity reporting across clinical trials and institutional protocols.
Patient Population
Adult and pediatric patients receiving CAR-T cells, bispecific antibodies (BiTEs), or other immune effector cell therapies.
When Not to Rely on This Score Alone
Sepsis or septic shock — must exclude infection as the primary cause of fever and hypotension.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) — although frequently co-occurring, TLS has separate management and grading.
Neurotoxicity (ICANS) — requires separate assessment using the ICE score and ASTCT ICANS grading.
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Grading Logic
CRS grade is determined by the most severe symptom among fever, hypotension, and hypoxia. A fever (≥ 38.0°C) is required for the diagnosis of CRS.
ASTCT 2019 Grading Schema
Grade
Fever
Hypotension
Hypoxia
1
≥ 38°C
None
None
2
≥ 38°C
Not requiring vasopressors
Low-flow O2 (< 6 L/min)
3
≥ 38°C
One vasopressor (± vasopressin)
High-flow O2 (≥ 6 L/min)
4
≥ 38°C
Multiple vasopressors
Positive pressure (CPAP, BiPAP, Intubation)
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
The Fever Requirement
A fever is mandatory for Grade 1. In higher grades, the fever may be masked by antipyretics or steroids, but the grading still applies if the symptoms were initiated by a fever.
Management Triggers
Grade 1: Symptomatic treatment; consider tocilizumab if persistent or in high-risk patients.
Grade 2: Tocilizumab (± steroids).
Grade 3/4: Aggressive management with tocilizumab AND high-dose corticosteroids.
Section 4
Evidence Appraisal
Primary Scale
ASTCT Consensus Grading for Cytokine Release Syndrome and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome in Adult and Pediatric Patients.
Lee DW et al. • Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019;25(4):625-638.
Before 2019, multiple grading systems existed (Penn, Lee, MSKCC). The ASTCT 2019 consensus was developed to harmonize definitions across leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma trials, focusing on objective bedside parameters (hypotension and hypoxia).
Last Comprehensive Review: 2026
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Grading the severity of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) following immune effector cell (IEC) therapy (e.g., CAR-T).
To guide clinical management, including the initiation of tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
Standardizing toxicity reporting across clinical trials and institutional protocols.
Patient Population
Adult and pediatric patients receiving CAR-T cells, bispecific antibodies (BiTEs), or other immune effector cell therapies.
When Not to Rely on This Score Alone
Sepsis or septic shock — must exclude infection as the primary cause of fever and hypotension.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) — although frequently co-occurring, TLS has separate management and grading.
Neurotoxicity (ICANS) — requires separate assessment using the ICE score and ASTCT ICANS grading.
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Grading Logic
CRS grade is determined by the most severe symptom among fever, hypotension, and hypoxia. A fever (≥ 38.0°C) is required for the diagnosis of CRS.
ASTCT 2019 Grading Schema
Grade
Fever
Hypotension
Hypoxia
1
≥ 38°C
None
None
2
≥ 38°C
Not requiring vasopressors
Low-flow O2 (< 6 L/min)
3
≥ 38°C
One vasopressor (± vasopressin)
High-flow O2 (≥ 6 L/min)
4
≥ 38°C
Multiple vasopressors
Positive pressure (CPAP, BiPAP, Intubation)
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
The Fever Requirement
A fever is mandatory for Grade 1. In higher grades, the fever may be masked by antipyretics or steroids, but the grading still applies if the symptoms were initiated by a fever.
Management Triggers
Grade 1: Symptomatic treatment; consider tocilizumab if persistent or in high-risk patients.
Grade 2: Tocilizumab (± steroids).
Grade 3/4: Aggressive management with tocilizumab AND high-dose corticosteroids.
Section 4
Evidence Appraisal
Primary Scale
ASTCT Consensus Grading for Cytokine Release Syndrome and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome in Adult and Pediatric Patients.
Lee DW et al. • Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019;25(4):625-638.
Before 2019, multiple grading systems existed (Penn, Lee, MSKCC). The ASTCT 2019 consensus was developed to harmonize definitions across leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma trials, focusing on objective bedside parameters (hypotension and hypoxia).