How it Works

Abecma (Idecabtagene vicleucel or bb2121) is an autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, in which your white blood cells are genetically modified to recognize and attack your multiple myeloma cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is present on most myeloma cells.

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How it’s Administered

Ide-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 ide-cel  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 (fludarabine and cyclophosphamide) for three days to prepare your body.

When your treatment is ready, your healthcare provider will give the ide-cel cells to you through a catheter (tube) placed into your vein (intravenous infusion). Your dose may be provided in one or more infusion bags. 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.

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Who Should Take Ide-Cel (Abecma)

Abecma is for the treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least four kinds of treatment regimens that have not worked or have stopped working. 

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Who Shouldn’t Take Ide-Cel (Abecma)

• Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of ide-cel. Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
• Ide-cel should not be administered to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders

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The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Ide-cel Include: 

• Fatigue
• Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
• Chills/shivering
• Severe nausea or diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Dizziness/lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Ide-cel 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 light-headedness, nausea, headache, fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, or fatigue. 

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Commonly Used With

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

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Commonly Being Tested With

• Immunomodulators agents: Lenalidomide (as induction or maintenance)

Learn more about your treatments in Cure Hub

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For more information, go to www.abecma.com

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Date last updated: 6/14/22