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
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