Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Kymriah Used For?
Kymriah is a specialized cancer treatment made from your own white blood cells called T-cells. These cells are genetically modified to help your immune system fight cancer more effectively.
Primary Uses
Kymriah treats B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL) in children and young adults up to 25 years old when the cancer has returned or doesn’t respond to treatment. It also treats adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more previous treatments.
How It Works
Your T-cells are collected from your blood and modified in a laboratory by adding a new gene. This allows them to better recognize and attack cancer cells. When the modified cells are infused back into your body, they find and destroy cancer cells.
Personalized Treatment: Kymriah is made specifically from your own cells, making it a personalized cancer treatment designed just for you.
How to Take Kymriah
Kymriah is given as a one-time treatment through an intravenous infusion at a specialized medical center. The process involves several steps over several weeks.
Treatment Process
First, your doctor collects your white blood cells through a procedure called leukapheresis, which takes 3-6 hours. Your cells are then sent to a laboratory where Kymriah is manufactured over 3-4 weeks. Before receiving Kymriah, you may need preparatory chemotherapy. The actual infusion takes less than 1 hour and is given only once.
Pre-treatment Requirements
You may receive medications like paracetamol and antihistamines 30-60 minutes before your infusion to prevent reactions. Your doctor will verify your identity matches the treatment bag since it’s made specifically for you.
Important: Stay within 2 hours travel time of your treatment center for at least 4 weeks after receiving Kymriah for monitoring and follow-up care.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fever, chills, shivering
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Fatigue, tiredness
- Headache, dizziness
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Muscle weakness, joint pain
- Shortness of breath, coughing
- Rash, itching
- Sleep disturbances, anxiety
- Swollen ankles
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (high fever, difficulty breathing, blue lips/limbs)
- Neurological problems (confusion, seizures, difficulty speaking)
- Severe infections with fever and chills
- Blood disorders (frequent infections, unusual bleeding/bruising)
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, heart failure)
- Severe allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, dizziness)
- New cancers from T-cells
- Tumor lysis syndrome
- Multiple organ dysfunction
Important Warnings
Kymriah can cause serious, potentially life-threatening side effects that require careful monitoring and immediate medical attention.
Who Should Not Take Kymriah
Do not receive Kymriah if you’re allergic to tisagenlecleucel, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dextran 40, or any other ingredients. It should not be given to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have lung, heart, blood pressure, or kidney problems; recent stem cell transplant; hepatitis B, C, or HIV; recent vaccinations; active infections; or worsening cancer symptoms like fever, weakness, bleeding, or sudden weight loss.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Kymriah is not recommended during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control after treatment. The effects on pregnant or breastfeeding women are unknown and may harm your baby. Sexually active males should use condoms during intercourse after treatment.
Life-Threatening Reactions: Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) can be fatal. Monitor for fever, neurological changes, and breathing difficulties.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Kymriah works or increase your risk of side effects.
Vaccination Warning: Do not receive live vaccines for 6 weeks before lymphodepleting chemotherapy or during/after Kymriah treatment.
- Corticosteroids may interfere with Kymriah effectiveness
- Live vaccines should be avoided 6 weeks before treatment and during/after treatment
Alcohol & Driving
Kymriah can affect your ability to drive safely and perform activities requiring alertness for several weeks after treatment.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned, but consult your doctor about alcohol consumption during your recovery period.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive, use machines, or engage in activities requiring alertness for 8 weeks after receiving Kymriah. The treatment can cause decreased awareness, coordination problems, and seizures.
Storage
Kymriah is stored at or below minus 120°C at the treatment facility and is thawed at your bedside when ready for use. As a patient, you don’t need to handle storage.
Overdose Information
Kymriah is given as a single, carefully calculated dose by healthcare professionals at a specialized center. Overdose is not applicable as you receive only one treatment session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kymriah begins working immediately after infusion as the modified T-cells start targeting cancer cells. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular check-ups, especially during the first few weeks after treatment.
It takes about 3-4 weeks to manufacture Kymriah from your collected T-cells, though the time may vary. During this waiting period, you may need additional therapy to control your cancer.
You must stay within 2 hours travel time of your treatment center for at least 4 weeks after receiving Kymriah. This is essential for monitoring and managing any potential side effects.
Call your doctor immediately if you develop a high fever, as this could be a sign of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious but treatable condition that requires prompt medical attention.
No, you cannot donate blood, organs, tissues, sperm, eggs, or other cells after receiving Kymriah treatment due to the genetically modified cells in your body.
No, Kymriah is given as a single, one-time treatment. You will not receive multiple infusions of this medication.
In some cases, Kymriah cannot be successfully manufactured from your collected cells. If this happens, your doctor may attempt a second manufacturing process or discuss alternative treatment options.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.