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What is the path like?

Sharon, YESCARTA patient

What is the YESCARTA® treatment process?

The treatment process involves preparatory steps, a one-time infusion with YESCARTA, and monitoring for side effects after the infusion. Unlike other treatments that may have multiple rounds, you only need to go through the process once with YESCARTA.

Estimated total time*: Around 1.5 months

Diagram of an average timeline of the YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) treatment process.
*Estimated total time is from T cell collection to the end of post-infusion monitoring. Your timeline might vary since your treatment team will make changes to suit your specific needs. You can ask a CAR T specialist about what your timeline might look like and how that may differ from other treatment options.

Preparatory steps

  • Your T cells are collected from your blood in a process called leukapheresis or apheresis
  • Your T cells are shipped to the YESCARTA manufacturing facility, where they will be turned into CAR T cells. During this time, you will wait at home
  • Prior to your CAR T-cell infusion, you will receive low-dose chemotherapy to prepare your body for YESCARTA. You may also receive premedications

Post-infusion monitoring

  • After your infusion you will need to stay near a healthcare facility for at least 2 weeks
  • Your team will monitor you daily for at least the first 7 days in case serious side effects happen
  • Your treatment team will let you know when you are no longer required to stay near a healthcare facility
  • You should avoid driving for at least 2 weeks after your infusion

You will need a caregiver(s) during treatment, especially after your infusion to help look out for potential side effects.

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Who can support me on the path with YESCARTA?

Going through a cancer treatment can be challenging in many ways. But you don't have to go through it alone. Support is available, and there are people who can guide you through this process. People who can help include:

Your treatment team. They will be with you every step of the way. Speak with your team if you have any questions.

Nurse Coordinators or Social Workers on your treatment team

They can:

  • discuss logistical or practical concerns and how to solve them
  • connect you to other resources or support (e.g., for travel, lodging, or other costs)
  • provide counseling to help you manage stress and issues that come with having cancer and receiving treatment

Kite Patient Navigators

If you're eligible and going to receive YESCARTA, Kite Patient Navigators can:

  • check your insurance coverage (often called a benefits investigation) or answer general insurance questions
  • provide information on third-party organizations who may be able to provide assistance
  • arrange co-pay assistance to help cover out-of-pocket expenses
  • arrange additional support for those who are uninsured or underinsured through the Patient Assistance Program

Once enrolled, you will be matched with a Patient Navigator who can work with you throughout treatment.

If you have questions, contact the Patient Navigator team at:

1-844-454-KITE [5483]

Monday-Friday 8 am-9 pm ET or 5 am-6 pm PT

Talk to a CAR T specialist to learn more about whether YESCARTA is right for you.

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CAR T treatment team

Doctors

Doctors can include your attending oncologist and other specialists.

They will be in charge of your treatment plan and can prescribe YESCARTA and other medical treatments.

Nurse and nurse coordinators

Nurses in different roles will care for you throughout every step of your treatment.

Nurse coordinators, also called nurse navigators or case management nurses, will guide you through your treatment plan and make sure that you understand each step of the process. They can also help you coordinate the logistics and connect you with additional support.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) have advanced training and can be involved in aspects of care such as diagnosis, treatment, and certain medical procedures.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists will prepare, give out, and provide information about prescription drugs. They will help ensure the effective and safe use of medicines.

Social workers

Social workers will provide counseling to help you manage stress and issues that come with having cancer and receiving treatment—they can also connect you to additional support services.

Look up the team at a treatment center near you:

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Approved Use

YESCARTA is a prescription medicine used to treat large B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin ...

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about YESCARTA? YESCARTA may cause side effects that are life-threatening and can lead to death ...

Approved Use and Important Safety Information

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Approved Use

YESCARTA® is a prescription medicine used to treat large B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, when your first treatment did not work or your cancer returned within a year of first 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.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about YESCARTA?

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

It is important to tell your healthcare provider that you received YESCARTA. Your healthcare provider may give you other medicines to treat your side effects.

Before getting YESCARTA, 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.

How will I receive YESCARTA?

  • Since YESCARTA is made from your own white blood cells, your blood will be collected by a process called “leukapheresis” (loo-kah-fur-ee-sis), which will concentrate your white blood cells.
  • Your blood cells will be sent to a manufacturing center to make your YESCARTA.
  • Before you get YESCARTA, you will get 3 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 daily for at least 7 days after the infusion.
  • You should plan to stay close to a healthcare facility for at least 2 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.

What should I avoid after receiving YESCARTA?

  • Avoid driving for at least 2 weeks after you get YESCARTA.
  • Do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation.

What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of YESCARTA?

The most common side effects of YESCARTA 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

YESCARTA may increase your risk of getting cancers including certain types of blood cancers. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for this.

These are not all the possible side effects of YESCARTA. Call your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts, including IMPORTANT WARNINGS.

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