Title: Details on Yescarta: Its Potency, Form, Usage Scenarios, and More
Yescarta, a groundbreaking drug approved by the FDA, is making a significant impact in the treatment of large B-cell lymphomas in adults. This brand-name drug, specifically axiicabtagene ciloleucel, is a type of gene therapy called chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy, a biologic that works by genetically modifying a patient's own T cells to fight cancer cells.
The treatment process involves several stages. First, leukapheresis is performed to collect T cells from the patient's blood. These cells are then genetically modified to express the anti-CD19 CAR and expanded over several weeks.
Before the Yescarta infusion, patients undergo a short course of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, often fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, to reduce competing immune cells and improve CAR T cell engraftment. The infusion itself, a single dose, is given intravenously and takes approximately 30 minutes.
Following the infusion, patients typically remain at the infusion facility for at least 7 days for monitoring. This post-infusion period is crucial for managing potential severe toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events, with treatments like tocilizumab and steroids given as needed.
Yescarta is typically a one-time infusion and is not meant for long-term use. It is prescribed after trying at least two other systemic treatments for B-cell lymphoma. The dosage is based on the number of CAR T cells per kilogram of the patient's body weight, usually around 2 × 10^6 CAR T cells/kg, though exact dosing may vary slightly by protocol.
It's important to note that each bag of Yescarta is uniquely formulated for the person receiving it and does not come in a specific strength. Yescarta comes as a liquid suspension and is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion.
In case of a missed appointment, patients should reschedule as soon as possible. Yescarta is not available in a biosimilar version.
Additional resources for learning about Yescarta include articles about the drug (More about Yescarta) and details about lymphoma (A look at your condition). Yescarta is used to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from follicular lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. It is also used to treat follicular lymphoma after relapse or unsuccessful treatment with other therapies.
Yescarta is given by a healthcare professional at a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy certified facility. As with any medical treatment, it's crucial to discuss your options thoroughly with your doctor and to carefully follow the prescribed course of treatment.
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