How it Works

Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel (Cilta-Cel), sold under the brand name CARVYKTI, is a CAR T cell therapy made from your own white blood cells, which are collected and programmed to attack myeloma cells.

How it’s Administered

Cilta-Cel is made from your white blood cells, so your blood will be collected by a process called “leukapheresis.”

Your blood cells will be sent to a manufacturing center to make your personalized therapy. Based on clinical trial experience, it takes about four to six weeks from when your cells are received at the manufacturing site and are available to be shipped back to your healthcare provider, but the time may vary.

Before you receive treatment, your healthcare provider will give you chemotherapy for three days to prepare your body.

When your treatment is ready, your healthcare provider will give the cells to you through a catheter (tube) placed into your vein (intravenous infusion). Your dose may be provided in one Infusion bag. The infusion usually takes up to 30 minutes for each infusion bag.

You will be monitored at the certified healthcare facility where you received your treatment daily for at least seven days after the infusion.

You should plan to stay within 2 hours of this location for at least four weeks after receiving treatment. Your healthcare provider will check to see that your treatment is working and help you with any side effects that may occur.

Who Should Take Cilta-Cel

Cilta-Cel is indicated for the treatment of myeloma patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four previous lines of therapy.

Who Shouldn’t Take Cilta-Cel

Patients with:

Current or past neurologic problems (such as seizures, stroke, new or worsening memory loss)
Lung or breathing problems
Heart problems
Liver problems
Kidney problems
A recent or active infection
Low blood counts

The Most Common Side Effects of Cilta-Cel Include:

Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
Chills or shaking chills
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Very low blood pressure
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Effects on your nervous system (called ICANS)
Infections
Low levels of antibodies (immunoglobulins) in the blood
Cough, being short of breath
Diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, constipation
Problems with blood clotting
CARVYKTI can cause a very common side effect called cytokine release syndrome or CRS, which can be severe or fatal. Symptoms of CRS include fever, difficulty breathing, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, headache, fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, or fatigue.

Commonly Used With

Lenalidomide (Induction or maintenance)
Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy (like Fludarabine or Cyclophosphamide)

Commonly Being Tested With

Immunomodulators agents: lenalidomide (as induction or maintenance)
Proteasome inhibitors: bortezomib (as induction)
Steroids: dexamethasone (as induction)
Monoclonal antibodies: daratumumab (as induction)

Learn more about your treatments in Cure Hub

For more information, go to www.carvykti.com.

Date last updated: 7/11/22

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti)

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