Answers to frequently asked
questions about ABECMA^®

ABECMA is a one-time infusion* for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Your doctor may refer to ABECMA by its generic name, idecabtagene vicleucel or “ide-cel.” ABECMA is a CAR T cell therapy made just for you. ABECMA cells are created by adding new hooks, called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), to your existing T cells to fight multiple myeloma. This makes them better able to attach to cancer cells and destroy them. ABECMA can also target normal, healthy cells. 

Learn more about how ABECMA works.

*Treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and side effect monitoring.

ABECMA may be a treatment option for you when your multiple myeloma has come back (relapsed) or stopped responding to treatment (refractory) after you have received at least 2 kinds of treatment regimens, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

See if you've taken one of each of these drug classes.

The treatment process for ABECMA can be summarized in 3 steps.

Step 1:

• Blood collection (apheresis): 2-6 hours
• CAR T cell creation: About 4 weeks (times may vary)
• Pre-infusion treatment: 3 days of short-course chemotherapy

Step 2:

• One-time ABECMA infusion*: Up to 30 minutes per infusion bag (1 or more)

Step 3:

• Monitoring: For the first 7 days after your ABECMA infusion you will be monitored for side effects
• Long-term monitoring: You should plan to stay close to a treatment center for at least 2 weeks after receiving ABECMA. Regular check-ins with your healthcare team are still needed after 2 weeks of monitoring

Learn more about each step of the treatment process.

*Treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and side effect monitoring.

Care partners play an essential role during your ABECMA treatment. During the first 7 days after receiving ABECMA, your healthcare team will monitor you for side effects. For the following 2 weeks, you will need to stay close to a treatment center, and your care partner will continue to monitor you. Care partners may also provide practical and emotional support. 

Learn more about your care partner’s role.

ABECMA is received as a one-time infusion,* and no repeated infusions, maintenance therapy, or daily pills are needed while responding to treatment. Regular check-ins with your healthcare team are still needed. 

Learn more about the treatment process of ABECMA.

*Treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and side effect monitoring.

Everyone responds differently to ABECMA. In the clinical trial, people who received a one-time infusion* of ABECMA lived 3x longer without their multiple myeloma coming back or getting worse compared to standard treatment^† (13.8 months vs 4.4 months)^‡ Learn more about the treatment outcomes and how people responded to ABECMA.

Learn more about the treatment outcomes and how people responded to ABECMA.

*Treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and side effect monitoring.
^†People who were given standard treatment received 1 of the following medication combinations: daratumumab, pomalidomide, dexamethasone (DPd); daratumumab, bortezomib, dexamethasone (DVd); ixazomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (IRd); carfilzomib, dexamethasone (Kd); or elotuzumab, pomalidomide, dexamethasone (EPd).
^‡Progression-free survival results. Progression-free survival is the amount of time a person was alive and without the cancer getting worse after treatment. People in the clinical study were followed for 30.9 months (median^§). Individual results may vary.
^§Median is the middle number in a group of numbers arranged from lowest to highest.

Hear what real patients treated with ABECMA said about their experience. Your experience and results may vary.

Watch their stories.

There are a number of resources to help you along your treatment journey with ABECMA. You can view or download the patient brochure or questions to ask your doctor, which provide additional information on ABECMA and may be helpful in conversations with your healthcare team. There are also videos that help explain the roles of your care team and provide an overview of the ABECMA treatment process.

See all ABECMA resources.

Cell Therapy 360^® is your partner throughout the CAR T cell therapy journey. The program offers assistance for you and your care partner once a certified treatment center confirms that ABECMA is right for you. Certain restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. 

Learn more about Cell Therapy 360.

If you are interested in sharing your multiple myeloma diagnosis and ABECMA treatment story with others, please visit www.SharetoInspire.com or call us at 1-855-436-5866.

Watch stories from real people with multiple myeloma like Mary, Jim, Cecilia, and Angelo, and their care partners, about their experiences with ABECMA.