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ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

This site is intended for U.S. healthcare professionals only.

CRS
NT
HLH/MAS
Prolonged Cytopenias

ABECMA® Safety Profile After a One-time Infusion1*†

Most common adverse reactions

  • The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) included CRS, infections—pathogen unspecified, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hypogammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, edema, pyrexia, cough, headache, and decreased appetite
  • Serious adverse reactions occurred in 67% of patients. The most common nonlaboratory (≥5%) serious adverse reactions included CRS (18%), general physical health deterioration (10%), pneumonia (12%), infections—pathogen unspecified (19%), viral infections (9%), sepsis (7%), and febrile neutropenia (6%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 6%
  • The most common (≥10%) grade 3 or 4 nonlaboratory adverse reactions were febrile neutropenia (16%) and infections—pathogen unspecified (15%)

Summary of adverse reactions observed in at least 10% of patients treated with ABECMA in the KarMMa study

  Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
 
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Febrile neutropenia 16 16
Cardiac disorders
Tachycardia‡ 19 0
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea 35 1.6
Nausea 29 0
Constipation 16 0
Vomiting 15 0
Oral pain§ 12 0
General disorders and administration site conditions
Fatigue‖ 45 3.1
Pyrexia 25 1.6
General physical health deterioration 11 10
Edema 25 0
Chills 11 0
Immune system disorders
Cytokine release syndrome 85 9
Hypogammaglobulinemia# 41 0.8
Infections and infestations**
Infections – Pathogen unspecified 51 15
Viral infections 27 9
Bacterial infections 15 3.9
Pneumonia†† 17 9
Upper respiratory tract infection‡‡ 34 1.6
Investigations
Weight decreased 13 1.6
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Decreased appetite§§ 22 0.8
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal pain‖‖ 45 3.1
Motor dysfunction¶¶ 11 0
Nervous system disorders
Encephalopathy## 26 6
Headache*** 23 0
Dizziness††† 17 0.8
Neuropathy peripheral‡‡‡ 17 0.8
Tremor§§§ 10 0
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia‖‖‖ 13 0
Anxiety¶¶¶ 12 0.8
Renal and urinary disorders
Renal failure### 10 2.4
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders
Cough**** 23 0
Dyspnea†††† 13 2.4
Skin and subcautaneous tissue disorders
Rash‡‡‡‡ 14 0.8
Xerosis§§§§ 11 0
Vascular disorders
Hypotension‖‖‖‖ 17 0
Hypertension 11 3.1
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Febrile neutropenia
16 16
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Tachycardia‡
19 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Diarrhea
35 1.6
Nausea
29 0
Constipation
16 0
Vomiting
15 0
Oral pain§
12 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Fatigue‖
45 3.1
Pyrexia
25 1.6
General physical health deterioration
11 10
Edema
25 0
Chills
11 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Cytokine release syndrome
85 9
Hypogammaglobulinemia#
41 0.8
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Infections – Pathogen unspecified
51 15
Viral infections
27 9
Bacterial infections
15 3.9
Pneumonia††
17 9
Upper respiratory tract infection‡‡
34 1.6
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Weight decreased
13 1.6
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Decreased appetite§§
22 0.8
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Musculoskeletal pain‖‖
45 3.1
Motor dysfunction¶¶
11 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Encephalopathy##
26 6
Headache***
23 0
Dizziness†††
17 0.8
Neuropathy peripheral‡‡‡
17 0.8
Tremor§§§
10 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Insomnia‖‖‖
13 0
Anxiety¶¶¶
12 0.8
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Renal failure###
10 2.4
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Cough****
23 0
Dyspnea††††
13 2.4
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Rash‡‡‡‡
14 0.8
Xerosis§§§§
11 0
Any Grade, % Grade 3 or Higher, %
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
Hypotension‖‖‖‖
17 0
Hypertension
11 3.1

*Treatment process includes leukapheresis, drug manufacturing, administration, and adverse event monitoring. A single dose of ABECMA contains a cell suspension of 300 to 460 106 CAR-positive T cells in one or more infusion bags.
†Data at primary analysis. Safety profile remained consistent with longer follow-up and no new safety signals were observed.
‡Tachycardia includes sinus tachycardia, tachycardia.
§Oral pain includes oral pain, oropharyngeal pain, toothache.
‖Fatigue includes asthenia, fatigue, malaise.
Edema includes edema, face edema, fluid overload, fluid retention, generalized edema, peripheral edema, peripheral swelling, scrotal swelling, swelling.
#Hypogammaglobulinemia includes patients with adverse events (21%) of blood immunoglobulin G decreased, hypogammaglobulinemia, hypoglobulinemia; and/or patients with laboratory IgG levels below 500 mg/dL following ABECMA infusion (25%).
**Infections and infestations System Organ Class Adverse Events are grouped by pathogen type and selected clinical syndromes.
††Pneumonia includes bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, lung infection, pneumonia, pneumonia aspiration, pneumonia cytomegaloviral, pneumonia pneumococcal, pneumonia pseudomonal. Pneumonias may also be included under pathogen categories.
‡‡Upper respiratory tract infection includes laryngitis, nasopharyngitis, pharyngeal erythema, pharyngitis, respiratory tract congestion, respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, rhinovirus infection, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection bacterial. Upper respiratory tract infections may also be included under pathogen categories.
§§Decreased appetite includes decreased appetite, hypophagia.
‖‖Musculoskeletal pain includes arthralgia, back pain, bone pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia, neck pain, spinal pain.
¶¶Motor dysfunction includes dysphonia, eyelid ptosis, hypotonia, motor dysfunction, muscle spasms, muscular weakness, restless legs syndrome.
##Encephalopathy includes amnesia, bradyphrenia, cognitive disorder, confusional state, depressed level of consciousness, disturbance in attention, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, encephalopathy, lethargy, memory impairment, mental status changes, metabolic encephalopathy, somnolence, toxic encephalopathy.
***Headache includes headache, head discomfort, sinus headache.
†††Dizziness includes dizziness, presyncope, syncope, vertigo.
‡‡‡Neuropathy peripheral includes carpal tunnel syndrome, hypoesthesia, hypoesthesia oral, neuralgia, neuropathy peripheral, paresthesia, peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, sciatica.
§§§Tremor includes asterixis, tremor.
‖‖‖Insomnia includes insomnia, sleep deficit, sleep disorder.
¶¶¶Anxiety includes anxiety, feeling jittery, nervousness.
###Renal failure includes acute kidney injury, blood creatinine increased, chronic kidney disease, renal failure, renal impairment.
****Cough includes cough, productive cough, upper-airway cough syndrome.
††††Dyspnea includes acute respiratory failure, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, respiratory failure.
‡‡‡‡Rash includes acne, dermatitis, dermatitis bullous, erythema, rash, rash macular, rash papular, urticaria.
§§§§Xerosis includes dry eye, dry mouth, dry skin, lip dry, xerosis.
‖‖‖‖Hypotension includes hypotension, orthostatic hypotension.

Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities worsening from baseline in at least 10% of patients treated with ABECMA in the KarMMa trial

 
150-450 × 106
(N=127)
%
Neutropenia96
Leukopenia96
Lymphopenia92
Thrombocytopenia63
Anemia63
Hypophosphatemia45
Hyponatremia10
aPTT increased (seconds)10

aPTT=activated partial thromboplastin time; ARs=adverse reactions; CRS=cytokine release syndrome; CTCAE=Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; NCI=National Cancer Institute.
Laboratory tests were graded according to NCI CTCAE Version 4.03. Laboratory abnormalities are sorted by decreasing frequency in the 150 to 450 × 106 column.

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Indication

ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES, HLH/MAS, AND PROLONGED CYTOPENIA

  • Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. Do not administer ABECMA to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
  • Neurologic Toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with ABECMA. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.
  • Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS) including fatal and life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. HLH/MAS can occur with CRS or neurologic toxicities.
  • Prolonged Cytopenia with bleeding and infection, including fatal outcomes following stem cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery, occurred following treatment with ABECMA.
  • ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS.

Warnings and Precautions:
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with ABECMA in 85% (108/127) of patients. Grade 3 or higher CRS occurred in 9% (12/127) of patients, with Grade 5 CRS reported in one (0.8%) patient. The median time to onset of CRS, any grade, was 1 day (range: 1 – 23 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 1 – 63 days). The most common manifestations included pyrexia, hypotension, tachycardia, chills, hypoxia, fatigue, and headache. Grade 3 or higher events that may be associated with CRS include hypotension, hypoxia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), atrial fibrillation, hepatocellular injury, metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and HLH/MAS.

Identify CRS based on clinical presentation. Evaluate for and treat other causes of fever, hypoxia, and hypotension. CRS has been reported to be associated with findings of HLH/MAS, and the physiology of the syndromes may overlap. In patients with progressive symptoms of CRS or refractory CRS despite treatment, evaluate for evidence of HLH/MAS.

Fifty four percent (68/127) of patients received tocilizumab (single dose: 35%; more than 1 dose: 18%). Overall, 15% (19/127) of patients received at least 1 dose of corticosteroids for treatment of CRS. All patients that received corticosteroids for CRS received tocilizumab. Ensure that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of ABECMA.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of CRS and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion. At the first sign of CRS, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids as indicated.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time.

Neurologic Toxicities: Neurologic toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA in 28% (36/127) of patients receiving ABECMA, including Grade 3 in 4% (5/127) of patients. One patient had ongoing Grade 2 neurotoxicity at the time of death. Two patients had ongoing Grade 1 tremor at the time of data cutoff. The median time to onset of neurotoxicity was 2 days (range: 1 – 42 days). CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity resolved in 92% (33/36) of patients with a median time to resolution of 5 days (range: 1 – 61 days). The median duration of neurotoxicity was 6 days (range: 1 – 578) in all patients including 3 patients with ongoing neurotoxicity. Thirty-four patients with neurotoxicity had CRS with onset in 3 patients before, 29 patients during, and 2 patients after CRS. The most frequently reported manifestations of CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity include encephalopathy, tremor, aphasia, and delirium. Grade 4 neurotoxicity and cerebral edema in 1 patient, Grade 3 myelitis, and Grade 3 parkinsonism have been reported with ABECMA in another study in multiple myeloma.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion and treat promptly. Rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic toxicity should be managed with supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms occur at any time.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS): HLH/MAS occurred in 4% (5/127) of patients receiving ABECMA. One patient developed fatal multi-organ HLH/MAS with CRS and another patient developed fatal bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with contributory HLH/MAS. Three cases of Grade 2 HLH/MAS resolved. All events of HLH/MAS had onset within 10 days of receiving ABECMA with a median onset of 7 days (range: 4 – 9 days) and occurred in the setting of ongoing or worsening CRS. Two patients with HLH/MAS had overlapping neurotoxicity. The manifestations of HLH/MAS include hypotension, hypoxia, multiple organ dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and cytopenia. HLH/MAS is a potentially life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if not recognized early and treated. Treatment of HLH/MAS should be administered per institutional guidelines.

ABECMA REMS: Due to the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS. Further information is available at www.AbecmaREMS.com or 1-888-423-5436.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of ABECMA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in ABECMA.

Infections: ABECMA should not be administered to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections occurred in patients after ABECMA infusion. Infections (all grades) occurred in 70% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 23% of patients. Overall, 4 patients had Grade 5 infections (3%); 2 patients (1.6%) had Grade 5 events of pneumonia, 1 patient (0.8%) had Grade 5 bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 1 patient (0.8%) had cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after ABECMA infusion and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic, pre-emptive, and/or therapeutic antimicrobials according to standard institutional guidelines.

Febrile neutropenia was observed in 16% (20/127) of patients after ABECMA infusion and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care.

Viral Reactivation: CMV infection resulting in pneumonia and death has occurred following ABECMA administration. Monitor and treat for CMV reactivation in accordance with clinical guidelines. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against plasma cells. Perform screening for CMV, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.

Prolonged Cytopenias: In the clinical study, 41% of patients (52/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 49% (62/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia that had not resolved by Month 1 following ABECMA infusion. In 83% (43/52) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia after Month 1, the median time to recovery from ABECMA infusion was 1.9 months. In 65% (40/62) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, the median time to recovery was 2.1 months.

Three patients underwent stem cell therapy for hematopoietic reconstitution due to prolonged cytopenia. Two of the three patients died from complications of prolonged cytopenia. Monitor blood counts prior to and after ABECMA infusion. Manage cytopenia with myeloid growth factor and blood product transfusion support.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse event in 21% (27/127) of patients; laboratory IgG levels fell below 500 mg/dl after infusion in 25% (32/127) of patients treated with ABECMA.

Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with ABECMA and administer IVIG for IgG <400 mg/dl. Manage appropriately per local institutional guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis.

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or after ABECMA treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during ABECMA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with ABECMA.

Secondary Malignancies: Patients treated with ABECMA may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. If a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Bristol Myers Squibb at 1-888-805-4555 to obtain instructions on patient samples to collect for testing of secondary malignancy of T cell origin.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery: Due to the potential for neurologic events, patients receiving ABECMA are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following ABECMA infusion. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, during this initial period.

Adverse Reactions: The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions include CRS, infections – pathogen unspecified, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hypogammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, edema, pyrexia, cough, headache, and decreased appetite.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS.

Indication

ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES, HLH/MAS, AND PROLONGED CYTOPENIA

  • Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. Do not administer ABECMA to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
  • Neurologic Toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with ABECMA. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.
  • Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS) including fatal and life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. HLH/MAS can occur with CRS or neurologic toxicities.
  • Prolonged Cytopenia with bleeding and infection, including fatal outcomes following stem cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery, occurred following treatment with ABECMA.
  • ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS.

Warnings and Precautions:
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with ABECMA in 85% (108/127) of patients. Grade 3 or higher CRS occurred in 9% (12/127) of patients, with Grade 5 CRS reported in one (0.8%) patient. The median time to onset of CRS, any grade, was 1 day (range: 1 – 23 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 1 – 63 days). The most common manifestations included pyrexia, hypotension, tachycardia, chills, hypoxia, fatigue, and headache. Grade 3 or higher events that may be associated with CRS include hypotension, hypoxia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), atrial fibrillation, hepatocellular injury, metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and HLH/MAS.

Identify CRS based on clinical presentation. Evaluate for and treat other causes of fever, hypoxia, and hypotension. CRS has been reported to be associated with findings of HLH/MAS, and the physiology of the syndromes may overlap. In patients with progressive symptoms of CRS or refractory CRS despite treatment, evaluate for evidence of HLH/MAS.

Fifty four percent (68/127) of patients received tocilizumab (single dose: 35%; more than 1 dose: 18%). Overall, 15% (19/127) of patients received at least 1 dose of corticosteroids for treatment of CRS. All patients that received corticosteroids for CRS received tocilizumab. Ensure that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of ABECMA.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of CRS and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion. At the first sign of CRS, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids as indicated.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time.

Neurologic Toxicities: Neurologic toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA in 28% (36/127) of patients receiving ABECMA, including Grade 3 in 4% (5/127) of patients. One patient had ongoing Grade 2 neurotoxicity at the time of death. Two patients had ongoing Grade 1 tremor at the time of data cutoff. The median time to onset of neurotoxicity was 2 days (range: 1 – 42 days). CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity resolved in 92% (33/36) of patients with a median time to resolution of 5 days (range: 1 – 61 days). The median duration of neurotoxicity was 6 days (range: 1 – 578) in all patients including 3 patients with ongoing neurotoxicity. Thirty-four patients with neurotoxicity had CRS with onset in 3 patients before, 29 patients during, and 2 patients after CRS. The most frequently reported manifestations of CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity include encephalopathy, tremor, aphasia, and delirium. Grade 4 neurotoxicity and cerebral edema in 1 patient, Grade 3 myelitis, and Grade 3 parkinsonism have been reported with ABECMA in another study in multiple myeloma.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion and treat promptly. Rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic toxicity should be managed with supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms occur at any time.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS): HLH/MAS occurred in 4% (5/127) of patients receiving ABECMA. One patient developed fatal multi-organ HLH/MAS with CRS and another patient developed fatal bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with contributory HLH/MAS. Three cases of Grade 2 HLH/MAS resolved. All events of HLH/MAS had onset within 10 days of receiving ABECMA with a median onset of 7 days (range: 4 – 9 days) and occurred in the setting of ongoing or worsening CRS. Two patients with HLH/MAS had overlapping neurotoxicity. The manifestations of HLH/MAS include hypotension, hypoxia, multiple organ dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and cytopenia. HLH/MAS is a potentially life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if not recognized early and treated. Treatment of HLH/MAS should be administered per institutional guidelines.

ABECMA REMS: Due to the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS. Further information is available at www.AbecmaREMS.com or 1-888-423-5436.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of ABECMA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in ABECMA.

Infections: ABECMA should not be administered to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections occurred in patients after ABECMA infusion. Infections (all grades) occurred in 70% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 23% of patients. Overall, 4 patients had Grade 5 infections (3%); 2 patients (1.6%) had Grade 5 events of pneumonia, 1 patient (0.8%) had Grade 5 bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 1 patient (0.8%) had cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after ABECMA infusion and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic, pre-emptive, and/or therapeutic antimicrobials according to standard institutional guidelines.

Febrile neutropenia was observed in 16% (20/127) of patients after ABECMA infusion and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care.

Viral Reactivation: CMV infection resulting in pneumonia and death has occurred following ABECMA administration. Monitor and treat for CMV reactivation in accordance with clinical guidelines. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against plasma cells. Perform screening for CMV, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.

Prolonged Cytopenias: In the clinical study, 41% of patients (52/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 49% (62/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia that had not resolved by Month 1 following ABECMA infusion. In 83% (43/52) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia after Month 1, the median time to recovery from ABECMA infusion was 1.9 months. In 65% (40/62) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, the median time to recovery was 2.1 months.

Three patients underwent stem cell therapy for hematopoietic reconstitution due to prolonged cytopenia. Two of the three patients died from complications of prolonged cytopenia. Monitor blood counts prior to and after ABECMA infusion. Manage cytopenia with myeloid growth factor and blood product transfusion support.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse event in 21% (27/127) of patients; laboratory IgG levels fell below 500 mg/dl after infusion in 25% (32/127) of patients treated with ABECMA.

Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with ABECMA and administer IVIG for IgG <400 mg/dl. Manage appropriately per local institutional guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis.

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or after ABECMA treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during ABECMA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with ABECMA.

Secondary Malignancies: Patients treated with ABECMA may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. If a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Bristol Myers Squibb at 1-888-805-4555 to obtain instructions on patient samples to collect for testing of secondary malignancy of T cell origin.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery: Due to the potential for neurologic events, patients receiving ABECMA are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following ABECMA infusion. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, during this initial period.

Adverse Reactions: The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions include CRS, infections – pathogen unspecified, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hypogammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, edema, pyrexia, cough, headache, and decreased appetite.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS.

Reference: 1. ABECMA [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; 2021.