Carvykti, also known by its drug name Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, is a type of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Here are some key points about Carvykti:
Overview
- Approval: Carvykti is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory multiple Show Full Answer
Carvykti, also known by its drug name Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, is a type of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Here are some key points about Carvykti:
Overview
- Approval: Carvykti is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in adults who have already tried at least four lines of therapy. These therapies must include:
- A proteasome inhibitor
- An immunomodulatory agent
- An anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody
How It Works
- Mechanism: Carvykti is made from a person’s own T cells, which are harvested and genetically engineered to target a protein called B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) found on myeloma cells.
- Process:
1. T Cell Harvesting: T cells are collected from the patient in a process similar to a blood transfusion.
2. Genetic Engineering: The harvested T cells are sent to a laboratory where they are genetically modified to express CARs that target BCMA.
3. Manufacturing: This process takes about four to five weeks.
4. Infusion: The modified T cells are then infused back into the patient after a round of chemotherapy called lymphodepletion to make room for the new T cells.
Administration
- Chemotherapy: Patients receive chemotherapy for a few days before the Carvykti infusion.
- Infusion: Carvykti is administered once as an intravenous infusion.
Side Effects
- Common Side Effects:
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can be severe and life-threatening, causing neurological effects like seizures, hallucinations, and tremors.
- Fever, low blood pressure, fatigue, infections, cough, chills, diarrhea, nausea, encephalopathy, low appetite, headache, fast heart rate, trouble breathing, edema, bleeding or blood clotting issues, constipation, vomiting, and pain in muscles, bones, or joints.
- Serious Side Effects:
- Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome
- Macrophage activation syndrome
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- Increased risk of developing other types of cancer
For more detailed information, you can visit the official Carvykti website: [Carvykti — Janssen Biotech Inc.](https://www.carvykti.com)
This information is based on the knowledge base provided.
July 31, 2024