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Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with multiple myeloma.
These insights are based on 182 comments about Abecma from MyMyelomaTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.
Abecma is a type of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy that works by targeting BCMA, a protein found on myeloma cells. It uses your white blood cells, which have been changed (genetically modified) to find and attack your multiple myeloma cells.
Doctors prescribe Abecma to adults with relapsed (returning) or refractory (not responding) multiple myeloma when they have tried two or more prior lines of treatment that have not worked or have stopped working. They also must have received at least one therapy from each of these drug classes:
In order to make Abecma specific to you, your blood cells will be collected and sent to a manufacturing site. Your healthcare provider will then give you three days of lymphodepleting chemotherapy to prepare your body before receiving your CAR T-cell therapy.
When Abecma is ready, it will be given into a vein as an intravenous infusion, typically as a one-time treatment. The dose may be given from one or more infusion bags. Each infusion bag usually takes up to 30 minutes to infuse.
The recommended dose of Abecma for multiple myeloma is a single intravenous infusion containing 300 million to 510 million CAR-positive T cells. This is a one-time dose made from a person’s own white blood cells.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 182 comments about Abecma from MyMyelomaTeam members.Members who use Abecma often say it helps to prepare for a long, structured treatment process, especially around cell collection, chemotherapy, infusion, and follow-up monitoring. They also frequently mention planning for a caregiver, staying close to the treatment center, and keeping a close eye on side effects and lab work in the first weeks after infusion.
Plan ahead for a long treatment timeline.
“They took my T cells on May 9, 2022. They then sent them to a manufacturing facility, and on July 14 and 15, 2022, they gave me some mild chemo. On July 18, 2022, they gave me back my genetically modified cells.”
Arrange caregiver help and stay near your treatment center.
“We were in Boston for a total of five weeks for observation of any side effects and twice-weekly labs and appointments.”
Watch closely for fever, confusion, and other early side effects.
“I had a fever that night and was treated with steroids and tocilizumab for CRS (cytokine release syndrome), and except for white counts that were up and down, I was fine.”
Expect follow-up tests and regular lab monitoring.
“I have twice-a-month labs and appointments and feel good.”
Be patient while waiting for response results.
“I’m now over 45 days after CAR-T Abecma with no sign of any myeloma in bone marrow after a 30-day biopsy.”
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In clinical studies of Abecma for adults with multiple myeloma, the most common side effects happened in about 20 percent to 91 percent of people. They include:
Abecma can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Bristol Myers Squibb, the manufacturer of Abecma, offers the Cell Therapy 360 Patient Support Program. Through the Copay Assistance Program, Cell Therapy 360 can cover out-of-pocket expenses for commercially insured people for Abecma.
The program is not available for people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs, or any other federal or state healthcare program.
To learn more, visit the Cell Therapy 360 Patient Support Program or call 888-805-4555.
Before starting Abecma, your doctor will test for certain infections before your cells are collected. These tests help make sure it is safe to use your cells to make the treatment. Your doctor will also check your blood counts before treatment.
Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least six weeks before starting the chemotherapy given before Abecma, during Abecma treatment, and until your immune system recovers.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to idecabtagene vicleucel or any ingredients in Abecma. Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, may happen and may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in Abecma.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Also let your doctor know if you have had recent infections, have had cancer in the past, or have had nervous system problems in the past.
Do not drive for at least one week after you get Abecma. Do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation.
Abecma may cause a false-positive HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) test result by some commercial tests.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Abecma, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. If you can become pregnant, your pregnancy status should be checked before starting Abecma.
Your doctor will discuss the need for effective contraception in people who receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Abecma?
In a clinical study of adults with multiple myeloma that had come back or did not respond to treatment, people who received Abecma lived about three times longer without multiple myeloma coming back or getting worse compared with standard treatment (13.3 months vs. 4.4 months).
Also, more people achieved a complete response (no signs of cancer were found) with Abecma than with standard treatment (39 percent vs. 5 percent). In another study of people who had already received several treatments, 72 percent of people responded to Abecma.
How long does Abecma take to work for multiple myeloma?
In a clinical study, the median time to first response was 30 days. Some people responded as early as 15 days, and others took up to 88 days.
Can Abecma cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in multiple myeloma?
Yes. Cytokine release syndrome, also called CRS, can happen with Abecma. It occurred in 89 percent of individuals taking Abecma, and 7 percent had severe cases. CRS usually started about one day after the infusion and lasted about five days.
Common signs include fever, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, chills, and low oxygen levels.
What monitoring is needed with Abecma for multiple myeloma?
People who receive Abecma are monitored every day for at least seven days after the infusion. They should stay close to a healthcare facility for at least one week after treatment. During this time, the healthcare team watches for side effects and manages them if they occur.
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