Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: Autologous T lymphocytes transduced with a modified lentiviral vector expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) consisting of an anti-CD19 scFv (single chain variable fragment) and the zeta chain of the TCR/CD3 complex (CD3-zeta), coupled to the signaling domain of 4-1BB (CD137), with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon transfusion, tisagenlecleucel direct the T lymphocytes to CD19-expressing tumor cells, thereby inducing a selective toxicity in CD19-expressing tumor cells.
Link to REMS program

Diseases for which it is used

• B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Transformed lymphoma

History of changes in FDA indication

• 8/30/2017: Granted FDA regular approval "for the treatment of patients up to age 25 years with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory or in second or later relapse."
• 5/1/2018: FDA approval expanded "for 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, high grade B-cell lymphoma and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma."

Also known as

• Code name: CTL019
• Generic name: tisagenlecleucel-T
• Brand name: Kymriah