What is the cost of Yescarta?
The cost of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) is about $537,592 per treatment regimen, but most people do not pay this amount. Your insurance or the manufacturer may cover many of the costs for this treatment. Each dose of Yescarta is a customized treatment created using a patient’s own immune system to help fight lymphoma (a type of blood cancer).
The manufacturer offers support through their Kite Konnect program. To learn more call Kite Konnect at 1-844-454-KITE (5483), M-F 5 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time. Yescarta is covered by many private health insurance plans and Medicare. Your coverage may vary based on your plan benefits or circumstances.
There are out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for with CAR T treatment. Examples include deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance. Your healthcare provider can also provide more information about Yescarta coverage and costs.
Why is CAR-T cell therapy so expensive?
A personalized and complicated bioengineering process such as CAR T cell development is expected to be costly.
Factors that contribute to the cost of CAR-T cell therapy may include:
- Specialized facilities and health care providers
- Individualized manufacturing costs for personalized therapy
- Possible need for intensive care in the hospital due to serious adverse events
- Possible prolonged hospitalization and short-term housing close to a healthcare facility for patient follow-up care.
You might receive your infusion in a healthcare center that may not be close to your home. You will need to stay close to a healthcare center after getting Yescarta, usually for at least 14 days, to receive special treatment if needed, and to monitor for side effects. Avoid driving for at least 2 weeks after receiving Yescarta.
Related questions
- What's the difference between Kymriah and Yescarta?
- How is Yescarta administered?
- What type of drug is Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel)?
What is Yescarta used for?
Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), from Kite Pharma/Gilead, was first approved in October 2017 as a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy. It is used to treat adults with:
- Large B-cell lymphoma when your first treatment did not work or your cancer returned within a year of first treatment, OR when at least two kinds of treatment have failed to control your cancer.
- Follicular lymphoma when at least two kinds of treatment have failed to control your cancer.
This is not all the information you need to know about Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor's instructions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Clarke T, et al. FDA approves Gilead cancer gene therapy; price set at $373,000. Reuters. Healthcare and Pharma. October 18, 2017. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gilead-sciences-fda-idUSKBN1CN35H
- Borgert R. Improving Outcomes and Mitigating Costs Associated With CAR T-Cell Therapy. Am J Manag Care. 2021;27(13):S253-S261. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2021.88737
- Yescarta. Support and Resources. Kite Pharma. Accessed March 20, 2024 at https://www.yescartahcp.com/large-b-cell-lymphoma/support-and-resources
- Public Medicines Report. Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. US Senate. June 12, 2023. https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Public-Medicines-Report-6.9.23.pdf
- Yescarta prescribing information. 3/2024. Kite Pharma. Santa Monica, CA. Accessed March 20, 2024 at https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/oncology/yescarta/yescarta-pi.pdf
Read next
What is the difference between Truxima and Rituxan?
Truxima (rituximab-abbs) is a biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab). While both drugs are CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), Rituxan has additional FDA-approved indications beyond NHL. Continue reading
What is the success rate of Rituxan (rituximab) in patients with blood cancers?
In patients with hematological or blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Rituxan’s success is measured in a number of ways. It is measured by looking at how long patients responded to treatment (median duration of response), how long they live without their disease progressing (progression-free survival) and how many patients respond to treatment (response rate).
Rituxan treatment improves outcomes in certain patients with NHL. Adding Rituxan alongside standard therapies enhances the response patients have to treatment and improves overall outcomes, including increasing the time patients live for without experiencing a progression of their disease.
Rituxan helps to improve overall survival in certain patients with CLL and also helps to increase the time patients live for without experiencing disease progression. Adding Rituxan alongside standard therapy enhances the response patients have to therapy. Continue reading
Does Truxima make you gain weight?
Weight gain has been reported in 11% of patients being treated with Truxima (rituximab) for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Be sure to contact your doctor right away if you have a rapid or unexplained weight gain or fluid retention (edema), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of energy when using Truxima, as you may need immediate medical care. Continue reading
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