What is ABECMA? ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a prescription medicine for the treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least three kinds of treatment regimens that have not worked or have stopped working. ABECMA is a medicine made from your own white blood cells; the cells are genetically modified to recognize and attack your multiple myeloma cells.

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Starting my CAR T journey so we
can
keep celebrating with the kids

—that’s my plan after ABECMA

Actor portrayal

Starting my CAR T journey so we
can
keep celebrating with the kids

—that’s my plan after ABECMA

Actor portrayal

In a clinical study of 30.9 months follow-up (median), people treated with ABECMA lived longer without the disease getting worse or passing away, 13.8 months vs 4.4 months with 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 ABECMA treatment process

Overview of the 3 steps to treatment

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Step 1: Before treatment

Blood collection (apheresis):

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, and usually takes 2 to 6 hours

Time: 2-6 hours

Location: Certified treatment or apheresis center

CAR T cell creation:

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. This takes about 4 weeks

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.

Pre-infusion treatment:

  • 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

Time: 3 days of short-course chemotherapy

Location: Treatment is given at the center by appointment

Step 2: Treatment day

One-time ABECMA infusion*:

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
  • Your infusion usually takes up to 30 minutes for each infusion bag

Time: Up to 30 minutes per infusion bag (1 or more)

Location: Certified treatment center (Day 1 of 1-week hospital stay)

*The treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and adverse event monitoring.

Step 3: After treatment

Initial monitoring:

In the weeks following your ABECMA infusion, you will be monitored for side effects.

For the first 7 days after treatment

Monitoring at the treatment center

  • You will stay at the certified treatment center where you got your treatment for at least 7 days after
    the infusion to be monitored for side effects

During weeks 2 to 4

  • You should plan to stay within 2 hours of the certified treatment center for at least 4 weeks after receiving ABECMA. Your caregiver will keep an eye on how you’re doing and will check and record your temperature at least 3 times a day, and take you to scheduled appointments at the treatment center

Long-term follow-up:

After at least 4 weeks of monitoring

Monitor for side effects and tell your doctor right away if you feel symptoms of cytokine release syndrome or neurologic toxicity

  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other activities that could be dangerous if you are not mentally alert for at least 8 weeks after you receive ABECMA

Learn How ABECMA Works

Watch for a helpful overview of the ABECMA
treatment process

Start video: How Your ABECMA® (idecabtagene vicleucel) Is Made that provides an overview of the ABECMA® treatment process including blood collection, manufacturing, and infusion

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.

The treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and adverse event monitoring.

CAR=chimeric antigen receptor.

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