The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted regular approval to Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Important information

Yescarta may cause side effects that are life-threatening and can lead to death. Call or see your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following:

Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)

Difficulty breathing

Chills or shaking chills

Confusion

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Severe fatigue or weakness

What is Yescarta?

Yescarta is a treatment for your non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is used when you have failed at least two other kinds of treatment. Yescarta is different than other cancer medicines because it is made from your own white blood cells, which have been modified to recognize and attack your lymphoma cells.

Before receiving treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical problems, including if you have or have had:

Neurologic problems (such as seizures, stroke, or memory loss)

Lung or breathing problems

Heart problems

Liver problems

Kidney problems

A recent or active infection

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Since Yescarta is made from your own white blood cells, your blood will be collected by a process called “leukapheresis”, which will concentrate your white blood cells.

Your blood cells will be sent to a manufacturing center to make your Yescarta.

Before you receive Yescarta, you will get three days of chemotherapy to prepare your body.

When your Yescarta is ready, your healthcare provider will give it to you through a catheter placed into your vein (intravenous infusion). The infusion usually takes less than 30 minutes.

You will be monitored where you received your treatment daily for at least 7 days after the infusion.

You should plan to stay close to the location where you received your treatment for at least 4 weeks after getting Yescarta. Your healthcare provider will help you with any side effects that may occur.

You may be hospitalized for side effects and your healthcare provider will discharge you if your side effects are under control, and it is safe for you to leave the hospital.

Your healthcare provider will want to do blood tests to follow your progress. It is important that you do have your blood tested. If you miss an appointment, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous things for 8 weeks after you get Yescarta because the treatment can cause sleepiness, confusion, weakness, temporary memory and coordination problems.

Do not donate blood, organs, tissues and cells for transplantation.

Yescarta side effects

The most common side effects include:

Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)

Low white blood cells (can occur with a fever)

Low red blood cells

Low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, feeling tired, short of breath)

Fast heartbeat

Confusion

Difficulty speaking or slurred speech

Nausea

Diarrhea

These are not all the possible side effects. Call your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you.