Lloyd was compensated by Bristol Myers Squibb for sharing his story.
In a clinical study, at 30.9 months follow-up (median*), people treated with ABECMA lived without the disease getting worse or passing away (called progression-free survival) for 3 times longer (13.8 months compared with 4.4 months for those on standard treatments).
*Median is the middle number in a group of numbers arranged from lowest to highest.
CAR=chimeric antigen receptor.
What to expect during the 3 steps of the ABECMA treatment process
Step 1: Before Treatment
Your T cells will be collected through a process called apheresis (sometimes called leukapheresis).
Your blood is drawn and the components separated into groups. Your T cells are collected and other parts of your blood are returned back into your body.
Apheresis can be done on Day 1 as an outpatient.
Time: 2-6 hours
Location: Certified treatment or apheresis center
After your T cells are collected, they are sent to a specialized manufacturing laboratory.
At the laboratory, “hooks” called CARs are added to your T cells to make the ABECMA CAR T cells that are unique to you.
After your ABECMA CAR T cells are made, they are multiplied to make more multiple myeloma–fighting cells.
Time: About 4 weeks (time may vary)
Location: Specialized manufacturing laboratory
There is a risk that the manufacturing process may not work. In an ABECMA clinical study, 6 out of 249 people were impacted. Talk with your doctor for more information.
Before your infusion, you’ll receive a 3-day short-course chemotherapy to help prepare your body for ABECMA.
While your CAR T cells are being made, you may receive other treatments for the multiple myeloma. This is called bridging therapy. This may be an important step in managing your disease prior to your infusion of ABECMA.
Time: 3 days of short-course chemotherapy
Location: Treatment is given at the center by appointment
Step 2: Treatment Day
You will receive your one-time ABECMA infusion† at a certified treatment center from your trained healthcare team.
Your dose of ABECMA may be given in 1 or more infusion bags.
Time: Up to 30 minutes per infusion bag (1 or more)
Location: Certified treatment center (Day 1 of 1-week hospital stay)
†Treatment process includes blood cell collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and side effect monitoring.
Step 3: After Treatment
Get back to what matters sooner with ABECMA: the only CAR T cell therapy with 1-week post-treatment monitoring.
One week after treatment
You will be monitored daily for side effects.
After the first week
During the monitoring period of at least 1 week, you should plan to stay close to the facility where you received your infusion. Once the monitoring is complete and your healthcare team feels confident, you will be cleared to return home.
After the monitoring period
Monitor for side effects and tell your doctor right away if you feel symptoms of cytokine release syndrome or neurologic toxicity.
Do not drive for at least 1 week after you receive ABECMA.
Angelo was compensated by Bristol Myers Squibb for sharing his story.
You will not require any additional treatment‡ while
responding to your one-time infusion† of ABECMA
‡Regular check-ins with your healthcare team are still needed.
Find a certified CAR T cell therapy
treatment center near you
