How is Kymriah administered?
Kymriah is administered as a suspension through a tube (intravenous catheter) into your vein, typically in your arm. This single-dose infusion usually takes less than one hour.
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 Kymriah, 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 Kymriah.
Before you receive Kymriah, you may have chemotherapy for a few days to help prepare your body to receive the treatment.
What did the FDA approve Kymriah for?
- Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy used in pediatric and young adult patients (up to age 25) with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that has come back (relapsed) or did not respond to initial treatments (refractory).
- It is also approved in adults to treat relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, after having at least two other kinds of treatment. It is not indicated for treatment of patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.
- The FDA has also approved Kymriah for adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after 2 or more lines of systemic therapy in adults.
ALL, DLBCL and FL are all types of blood cancers that affect blood cells and their production in the bone marrow.
Related questions
- What is CAR T-cell therapy and how does it work?
- What is the cost of Kymriah?
- What's the difference between Kymriah and Yescarta?
How is Kymriah made?
Kymriah is made from your own white blood cells in a process called leukapheresis.
- A tube (intravenous catheter) is placed in your vein to collect white blood cells from the blood. Leukapheresis takes 3 to 6 hours and may need to be repeated.
- The blood cells are frozen and sent to the manufacturing site to make tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah).
- It takes roughly 3 to 4 weeks to make Kymriah, but this time can vary. Once the medicine is made, it is shipped back to your healthcare provider.
This is not all the information you need to know about Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor's directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) prescribing information. Revised 6/2025. Novartis Inc., East Hanover, NJ. Dec. 2020. Accessed July 3, 2025 at https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/kymriah.pdf
Read next
What is the survival rate of Kymriah?
Studies are ongoing to monitor the survival rate of patients who received Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) as a cancer treatment. Currently, the available data shows the survival rate is 87.7% for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma at 24 months after the Kymriah infusion, and 43.6% for patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced B-cell advanced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is 55%. Continue reading
What type of drug is Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel)?
Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. In CAR-T cell therapy, a patient's cells are genetically modified to include a new protein that directs that specific white blood cell (known as T-cell) to target and kill leukemia cells.
Continue reading
What to avoid when taking Gleevec?
- Talk to your doctor about warnings, side effects, use in pregnancy and possible drug interactions with Gleevec.
- Take your Gleevec exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use Gleevec if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
- Take each tablet with a meal and large glass of water to help prevent stomach irritation.
- Do not use a broken Gleevec tablet. The medicine from a broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your mouth, eyes, or nose, or on your skin.
- Do not use grapefruit products while taking Gleevec, unless okayed by your healthcare provider
- Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine may affect you. Use caution when driving as Gleevec may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision.
See also:
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Drug information
- Kymriah Information for Consumers
- Kymriah prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Kymriah (detailed)
Related support groups
- Kymriah (6 questions, 3 members)
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