Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A preparation of autologous peripheral blood T-lymphocytes (PBTL) that have been transduced with a gammaretroviral vector expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) consisting of an anti-CD19 single chain variable fragment (scFv) coupled to the costimulatory signaling domain CD28 and the zeta chain of the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex (CD3 zeta), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intravenous infusion and re-introduction of axicabtagene ciloleucel into the patient, these cells bind to and induce selective toxicity in CD19-expressing tumor cells.
Link to REMS

Diseases for which it is used

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Follicular lymphoma
• High-grade B-cell lymphoma
• Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma
• Transformed lymphoma

History of changes in FDA indication

• 10/18/2017: Granted initial FDA approval for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. NOT indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
• 3/5/2021: Granted accelerated approval for adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Also known as

• Code name: KTE-C19
• Generic names: Axicel, Axi-cel
• Brand name: Yescarta