Is Tecartus a one-time treatment?

Yes, Tecartus is given as a one-time intravenous (IV) infusion through a catheter placed into your vein, usually in your arm. The infusion usually takes less than 30 minutes, but receiving this treatment involves several other steps and takes a longer period of time.

Tecartus is made from your own white blood cells and is called CAR-T cell therapy. CAR-T stands for “Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy”. CAR-T is an advanced treatment for certain types of cancers that use specialized technology to create a personalized treatment just for you.

CAR T-cell therapy is not a "drug" in the usual sense, as might be used in chemotherapy or to treat an infection. Instead, it is a living biologic medicine (immunotherapy) created from your own cells. T-cells that occur naturally in your body normally target cancer cells to help keep them in check. However, this process isn't always as efficient as it should be, and the reengineered CAR T-cells can help to increase their cancer-killing ability.

What is Tecartus used for?

Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), from Kite Pharma, is used to treat two different types of blood cell cancers: mantle cell lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

• It was first approved in July 2020 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a rare, aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
• In October 2021, Tecartus was approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

How do I receive Tecartus?

There are several steps you undergo before you receive Tecartus, including the collection of your white blood cells to manufacture your infusion, and having 3 days of chemotherapy before treatment. The process to collect your white blood cells is called “leukapheresis” (loo-kah-fur-ee-sis).

CAR-T cell therapy is a highly individualized and specialized treatment. Your blood cells will be sent to a specialized manufacturing center to make your CAR-T treatment.

Once your CAR-T is ready, you will receive your infusion in a healthcare center that may not be close to your home. You will be monitored daily for at least 7 days after the infusion. 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.

Your doctor will test your blood to follow your progress. It is important not to miss any appointments scheduled for you. If you miss an appointment, call your doctor's office as soon as possible to reschedule.

You may need to be admitted to the hospital, especially if you have serious side effects. If the side effects clear up, your doctor will discharge you from the hospital if it is safe to do. You still may need to stay close by to be monitored. Your healthcare team will provide more information about the process.

Related questions

• What is CAR T-cell therapy and how does it work?
• How much does Tecartus cost?
• How does Besponsa work to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?

Where do I receive Tecartus?

You will receive the infusion at an intravenous (IV) treatment center that can provide your CAR-T cell therapy. Your healthcare provider and a program from the manufacturer, called Kite Konnect, can help you find a treatment center when you’re ready to begin therapy

You may need to be away from your home for at least 2 weeks if you do not live close to the treatment center. However, today there are more and more treatment centers available for CAR-T therapy.

If you do not live close to a treatment center, you might consider staying with family or friends. You will also need support from a caregiver while recovering.

What type of side effects occur with Tecartus?

The most common side effects of Tecartus include:

• fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)
• low white blood cell counts (can occur with a fever)
• low red blood cell count
• low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, feeling tired, short of breath)
• fast heartbeat
• confusion
• difficulty with speaking or slurred speech
• muscle pain
• nausea
• diarrhea

Tecartus may also 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)
• trouble breathing
• chills or shaking chills
• confusion
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• severe fatigue (tiredness) or weakness

Before getting Tecartus, 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, liver or kidney problems
• a recent infection, or if you have an infection now

Also tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements. There may the possibility of drug interactions.

This is not a complete list of side effects or warnings. Call your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you.

This is not all the information you need to know about Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) 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.

Read next

See also:

Related medical questions

• What is the lifetime or cumulative dose for Adriamycin?
• Gleevec vs Sprycel vs Tasigna - how do they compare?
• How long does it take Sprycel (dasatinib) to start working?
• How does Gleevec (imatinib) work?
• Is Sprycel a chemotherapy drug?
• What is the cost of Kymriah?
• Is Tasigna a form of chemotherapy?
• Is Blincyto (blinatumomab) chemotherapy?
• How does Asparlas (calaspargase pegol-mknl) compare to Oncaspar (pegaspargase)?
• How is Blincyto administered?
• Can I take Gleevec while pregnant?
• What is the survival rate of Kymriah?
• How is Kymriah administered?
• What type of drug is Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel)?
• What is the difference between Truxima and Rituxan?
• Is Velcade a type of chemotherapy?
• Does ibrutinib cause hair loss?
• What are the names of the BTK inhibitors?
• How long does Velcade stay in your body?
• What is the success rate of Breyanzi?
• How long does it take for Jaypirca to work?

Drug information

• Tecartus Information for Consumers
• Tecartus prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Tecartus (detailed)

Related support groups

• Tecartus (3 questions, 3 members)
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (23 questions, 15 members)
• Mantle Cell Lymphoma (10 questions, 9 members)

Medical Disclaimer