Package Insert - YESCARTA
Package Insert - YESCARTA
Package Insert - YESCARTA
These highlights do not include all the information needed to use • YESCARTA is available as a cell suspension for infusion.
YESCARTA safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for • YESCARTA comprises a suspension of 2 × 106 CAR-positive viable T
YESCARTA. cells per kg of body weight, with a maximum of 2 × 108 CAR-positive
viable T cells in approximately 68 mL. (3)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) suspension for intravenous
infusion ----------------------------CONTRAINDICATIONS---------------------------------
Initial U.S. Approval: October 2017 • None. (4)
Limitation of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication
with primary central nervous system lymphoma (1). Guide.
Neurologic Toxicity
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicities (Table 2). Rule out other causes of neurologic
symptoms. Patients who experience Grade 2 or higher neurologic toxicities should be monitored with continuous
cardiac telemetry and pulse oximetry. Provide intensive-care supportive therapy for severe or life-threatening
neurologic toxicities. Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medicines (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis for
any Grade 2 or higher neurologic toxicities.
Table 2. Neurologic Toxicity Grading and Management Guidance
Grading
Concurrent CRS No Concurrent CRS
Assessment
The most common neurologic toxicities included encephalopathy (57%), headache (44%), tremor (31%), dizziness
(21%), aphasia (18%), delirium (17%), insomnia (9%), and anxiety (9%). Prolonged encephalopathy lasting up to 173
days was noted. Serious events including leukoencephalopathy and seizures occurred with YESCARTA. Fatal and
serious cases of cerebral edema have occurred in patients treated with YESCARTA.
Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days at the certified healthcare facility following infusion for signs and symptoms
of neurologic toxicities. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities for 4 weeks after infusion and
treat promptly [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
5.3 YESCARTA REMS
Because of the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, YESCARTA is available only through a restricted program under
a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the YESCARTA REMS [see Boxed Warning and Warnings
and Precautions (5.1 and 5.2)]. The required components of the YESCARTA REMS are:
• Healthcare facilities that dispense and administer YESCARTA must be enrolled and comply with the REMS
requirements. Certified healthcare facilities must have on-site, immediate access to tocilizumab, and ensure
that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available for each patient for infusion within 2 hours after
YESCARTA infusion, if needed for treatment of CRS.
• Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that healthcare providers who prescribe, dispense, or administer
YESCARTA are trained about the management of CRS and neurologic toxicities.
Further information is available at www.YescartaREMS.com or 1-844-454-KITE (5483).
5.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions
Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of YESCARTA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or residual gentamicin in YESCARTA.
5.5 Serious Infections
Severe or life-threatening infections occurred in patients after YESCARTA infusion. In Study 1, infections (all grades)
occurred in 38% of patients. Grade 3 or higher infections occurred in 23% of patients. Grade 3 or higher infections
with an unspecified pathogen occurred in 16% of patients, bacterial infections in 9%, and viral infections in 4%.
YESCARTA should not be administered to patients with clinically significant active systemic infections. Monitor
patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after YESCARTA infusion and treat appropriately. Administer
prophylactic antimicrobials according to local guidelines.
Febrile neutropenia was observed in 36% of patients after YESCARTA 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 as medically indicated.
Viral Reactivation
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 B cells. Perform screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV in accordance
with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.
5.6 Prolonged Cytopenias
Patients may exhibit cytopenias for several weeks following lymphodepleting chemotherapy and YESCARTA
infusion. In Study 1, Grade 3 or higher cytopenias not resolved by Day 30 following YESCARTA infusion occurred in
28% of patients and included thrombocytopenia (18%), neutropenia (15%), and anemia (3%). Monitor blood counts
after YESCARTA infusion.
5.7 Hypogammaglobulinemia
B-cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia can occur in patients receiving treatment with YESCARTA. In Study 1,
hypogammaglobulinemia occurred in 15% of patients. Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with
YESCARTA and manage using infection precautions, antibiotic prophylaxis, and immunoglobulin replacement.
The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following YESCARTA 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 YESCARTA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with YESCARTA.
5.8 Secondary Malignancies
Patients treated with YESCARTA may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary
malignancies. In the event that a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Kite at 1-844-454-KITE (5483) to obtain
instructions on patient samples to collect for testing.
5.9 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines
Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status or seizures, patients receiving YESCARTA
are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following YESCARTA 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.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
• Cytokine Release Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3)]
• Neurologic Toxicities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3)]
• Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
• Serious Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
• Prolonged Cytopenias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
• Hypogammaglobulinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical
trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates
observed in practice.
The safety data described in this section reflect exposure to YESCARTA in the clinical trial (Study 1) in which 108
patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL received CAR-positive T cells based on a recommended dose which was
weight-based [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Patients with a history of CNS disorders (such as seizures or cerebrovascular
ischemia) or autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppression were ineligible. The median duration of
follow-up was 8.7 months. The median age of the study population was 58 years (range: 23 to 76 years); 68% were
male. The baseline ECOG performance status was 43% with ECOG 0, and 57% with ECOG 1.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) included CRS, fever, hypotension, encephalopathy,
tachycardia, fatigue, headache, decreased appetite, chills, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, infections-pathogen
unspecified, nausea, hypoxia, tremor, cough, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and cardiac arrhythmias. Serious
adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients. The most common serious adverse reactions (> 2%) included
encephalopathy, fever, lung infection, febrile neutropenia, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac failure, urinary tract infection,
renal insufficiency, aphasia, cardiac arrest, Clostridium difficile infection, delirium, hypotension, and hypoxia.
The most common (≥ 10%) Grade 3 or higher reactions included febrile neutropenia, fever, CRS, encephalopathy,
infections-pathogen unspecified, hypotension, hypoxia, and lung infections.
Forty-five percent (49/108) of patients received tocilizumab after infusion of YESCARTA.
Table 3 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred in at least 10% of patients treated with YESCARTA and
Table 4 describes the laboratory abnormalities of Grade 3 or 4 that occurred in at least 10% of patients.
Table 3. Summary of Adverse Reactions Observed in at Least 10% of Patients Treated with YESCARTA
in Study 1
Adverse Reaction Any Grade (%) Grade 3 or Higher (%)
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
Febrile neutropenia 34 31
Cardiac Disorders
Tachycardia a 57 2
Arrhythmia b 23 7
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Diarrhea 38 4
Nausea 34 0
Vomiting 26 1
Constipation 23 0
Abdominal pain c 14 1
Dry mouth 11 0
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions
Fever d 86 16
Fatigue e 46 3
Chills 40 0
Edema f 19 1
Immune System Disorders
Cytokine release syndrome 94 13
Hypogammaglobulinemia g 15 0
Infections and Infestations
Infections-pathogen unspecified 26 16
Viral infections 16 4
Bacterial infections 13 9
Investigations
Decreased appetite 44 2
Weight decreased 16 0
Dehydration 11 3
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
Motor dysfunction h 19 1
Pain in extremity i 17 2
Back pain 15 1
Muscle pain 14 1
Arthralgia 10 0
Nervous System Disorders
Encephalopathy j 57 29
Headache k 45 1
Adverse Reaction Any Grade (%) Grade 3 or Higher (%)
Tremor 31 2
Dizziness l 21 1
Aphasia m 18 6
Psychiatric Disorders
Delirium n 17 6
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders
Hypoxia o 32 11
Cough p 30 0
Dyspnea q 19 3
Pleural effusion 13 2
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Renal insufficiency 12 5
Vascular Disorders
Hypotension r 57 15
Hypertension 15 6
Thrombosis s 10 1
The following events were also counted in the incidence of CRS: tachycardia, arrhythmia, fever, chills, hypoxia, renal insufficiency, and
hypotension.
a. Tachycardia includes tachycardia, sinus tachycardia.
b. Arrhythmia includes arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrioventricular block, bundle branch block right, electrocardiogram QT
prolonged, extra-systoles, heart rate irregular, supraventricular extra systoles, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia,
ventricular tachycardia.
c. Abdominal pain includes abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper.
d. Fever includes fever, febrile neutropenia.
e. Fatigue includes fatigue, malaise.
f. Edema includes face edema, generalized edema, local swelling, localized edema, edema, edema genital, edema peripheral, periorbital
edema, peripheral swelling, scrotal edema.
g. Hypogammaglobulinemia includes hypogammaglobulinemia, blood immunoglobulin D decreased, blood immunoglobulin G decreased.
h. Motor dysfunction includes muscle spasms, muscular weakness.
i. Pain in extremity includes pain not otherwise specified, pain in extremity.
j. Encephalopathy includes cognitive disorder, confusional state, depressed level of consciousness, disturbance in attention, encephalopathy,
hypersomnia, leukoencephalopathy, memory impairment, mental status changes, paranoia, somnolence, stupor.
k. Headache includes headache, head discomfort, sinus headache, procedural headache.
l. Dizziness includes dizziness, presyncope, syncope.
m. Aphasia includes aphasia, dysphasia.
n. Delirium includes agitation, delirium, delusion, disorientation, hallucination, hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness.
o. Hypoxia includes hypoxia, oxygen saturation decreased.
p. Cough includes cough, productive cough, upper-airway cough syndrome.
q. Dyspnea includes acute respiratory failure, dyspnea, orthopnea, respiratory distress.
r. Hypotension includes diastolic hypotension, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension.
s. Thrombosis includes deep vein thrombosis, embolism, embolism venous, pulmonary embolism, splenic infarction, splenic vein
thrombosis, subclavian vein thrombosis, thrombosis, thrombosis in device.
Other clinically important adverse reactions that occurred in less than 10% of patients treated with YESCARTA
include the following:
• Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Coagulopathy (2%)
• Cardiac disorders: Cardiac failure (6%) and cardiac arrest (4%)
• Immune system disorders: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome
(HLH/MAS) (1%), hypersensitivity (1%)
• Infections and infestations disorders: Fungal infections (5%)
• Nervous system disorders: Ataxia (6%), seizure (4%), dyscalculia (2%), and myoclonus (2%)
• Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Pulmonary edema (9%)
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash (9%)
• Vascular disorders: Capillary leak syndrome (3%)
Laboratory Abnormalities:
Table 4. Grade 3 or 4 Laboratory Abnormalities Occurring in ≥ 10% of Patients in Study 1 Following
Treatment with YESCARTA based on CTCAE (N=108)
Grades 3 or 4 (%)
Lymphopenia 100
Leukopenia 96
Neutropenia 93
Anemia 66
Thrombocytopenia 58
Hypophosphatemia 50
Hyponatremia 19
Uric acid increased 13
Direct Bilirubin increased 13
Hypokalemia 10
Alanine Aminotransferase increased 10
6.2 Immunogenicity
YESCARTA has the potential to induce anti-product antibodies. The immunogenicity of YESCARTA has been
evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of binding antibodies against
FMC63, the originating antibody of the anti-CD19 CAR. Three patients tested positive for pre-dose anti-FMC63
antibodies at baseline and Months 1, 3, or 6 in Study 1. There is no evidence that the kinetics of initial expansion and
persistence of YESCARTA, or the safety or effectiveness of YESCARTA, was altered in these patients.
6.3 Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of YESCARTA. Because these reactions
are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their
frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
15 REFERENCES
1. Lee DW et al (2014). Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of cytokine release syndrome. Blood.
2014 Jul 10; 124(2): 188-195.
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
YESCARTA is supplied in an infusion bag (NDC 71287-119-01) containing approximately 68 mL of frozen
suspension of genetically modified autologous T cells in 5% DMSO and 2.5% albumin (human).
Each YESCARTA infusion bag is individually packed in a metal cassette (NDC 71287-119-02). YESCARTA is stored
in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen and supplied in a liquid nitrogen dry shipper.
• Match the identity of the patient with the patient identifiers on the cassette and infusion bag upon receipt.
• Store YESCARTA frozen in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen (less than or equal to minus 150ºC).
• Thaw before using [see Dosage and Administration (2)].
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Ensure that patients understand the risk of manufacturing failure (1% in clinical trial). In case of a manufacturing
failure, a second manufacturing of YESCARTA may be attempted. In addition, while the patient awaits the product,
additional chemotherapy (not the lymphodepletion) may be necessary and may increase the risk of adverse events
during the pre-infusion period.
Advise patients to seek immediate attention for any of the following:
• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) - Signs or symptoms associated with CRS, including fever, chills,
fatigue, tachycardia, nausea, hypoxia, and hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse
Reactions (6)].
• Neurologic Toxicities - Signs or symptoms associated with neurologic events, including encephalopathy,
seizures, changes in level of consciousness, speech disorders, tremors, and confusion [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6)].
• Serious Infections - Signs or symptoms associated with infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and
Adverse Reactions (6)].
• Prolonged Cytopenia - Signs or symptoms associated with bone marrow suppression, including
neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, or febrile neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) and
Adverse Reactions (6)].
Advise patients of the need to:
• Refrain from driving or operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery after YESCARTA infusion for at
least 8 weeks after infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].
• Have periodic monitoring of blood counts.
• Contact Kite at 1-844-454-KITE (5483) if they are diagnosed with a secondary malignancy [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.8)].
YESCARTA is a trademark of Kite Pharma, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective
owners.
© 2020 Kite Pharma, Inc. All Rights Reserved.