At the certified treatment center?, there will be a team of medical staff who will be taking care of you throughout your CAR T treatment.
Every center may work differently, but here are some people who could be part of your treatment team:
Doctors
Doctors can include your attending oncologist and other specialists.
They will be in charge of your treatment plan and can prescribe TECARTUS and other medical treatments.
Nurses and nurse coordinators
Nurses in different roles will care for you throughout every step of your treatment.
Nurse coordinators, also called nurse navigators or case management nurses, will guide you through your treatment plan and make sure that you understand each step of the process. They can also help you coordinate the logistics and connect you with additional support.
Social workers
Social workers will provide counseling to help you manage stress and issues that come with having cancer and receiving treatment—they can also connect you to additional support services.
Clinical dietitians
Clinical dietitians or nutritionists will help you meet your nutritional needs by providing you with advice and education around diet, including meal planning.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists will prepare, give out, and provide information about prescription drugs. They will help ensure the effective and safe use of medicines.
Look up the team at your certified treatment center:
“The staff at our hospital gave us a very detailed itinerary for the next steps. This helped us to know that they had a plan. When cancer kinda throws your life out of whack, having a distinct plan was comforting.”
PattiTECARTUS Caregiver
This testimonial is representative of the caregiver’s own experience. Individual treatment results and experience may vary.
This testimonial is representative of the caregiver’s own experience. Individual treatment results and experience may vary.
What is the treatment process?
CAR T-cell therapy is a multi-step process that includes a one-time infusion of TECARTUS.
Your timeline might vary since your treatment team will make changes to suit your specific needs.
Your T cells are shipped to the TECARTUS manufacturing facility, where they will be turned into CAR T cells. You will wait for at least 2–3 weeks until your CAR T cells are ready.
Step 5 | At least 1 or 2 weeks, based on cancer type
TECARTUS infusion and close monitoring
Your CAR T-cell infusion at the treatment center will last approximately 30 minutes. Patients with MCL will stay at the treatment center for at least 1 week after infusion, and patients with ALL will stay at the treatment center for at least 2 weeks. This is so the treatment team can monitor you for any side effects.
Your treatment team will let you know when you are no longer required to stay near the treatment center. This usually happens about 4 weeks after infusion. At this point you may return home if you live further away. You may also
start returning to your local oncologist for follow-up appointments.
There are over 120 cancer centers certified to provide TECARTUS throughout the US. When choosing a location, consider that you will need to stay close to the center for at least 4 weeks after receiving TECARTUS.
You can use the locator tool to find and learn about nearby treatment centers and their teams.
Information on new centers (where available) will be added on an ongoing basis. You can also contact your treatment team to learn more.
Traveling From
Typical driving times around your location
1 hour2 hours
Certified treatment centers (also called Authorized Treatment Centers) are independent facilities certified to dispense Kite CAR T therapies. Choice of a certified treatment center is within the sole discretion of the physician and patient. Kite does not endorse any individual treatment sites. Insurance coverage should be considered when reviewing certified treatment center options.
In order to provide TECARTUS, cancer treatment centers must first be certified. Certified treatment centers have specifically-trained medical staff, strict treatment protocols, and safety measures in place
for CAR T-cell therapy. These centers are often first to use best care practices learned through research.
Certified treatment centers are sometimes known as authorized treatment centers.
Step 1
CAR T consultation
At the certified treatment center, you will meet with your team and get assessed to see if you are eligible for TECARTUS.
Location
At the certified treatment center
Time
Time may vary
What to expect
The first step of getting TECARTUS is meeting with your treatment team. They will coordinate multiple lab tests (such as scans and bloodwork) to determine your eligibility for TECARTUS, and look into your health insurance coverage.
If you are eligible, your treatment team will also explain important information such as the treatment process, risks and benefits, and side effect management.
Starting a new treatment process can be overwhelming and an emotional time. You can start talking to your caregiver to figure out roles and shared responsibilities for the steps ahead.
Patients and caregivers can:
Do some research on the treatment center and how you will get there.
If you don’t live nearby, take some time to think about travel, meals, and a place to stay near the treatment center.
Make sure to keep your records up to date. This includes the treatment center team's contact information and your treatment calendar.
You may need to bring the following information:
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license) and insurance cards
A list of all medications and supplements, including strength and how often you take them
Cancer treatment history—this may include the names of treatments, how long you received each treatment for, and how the cancer responded to these previous treatments
Any other medical records and tests—this may include X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, laboratory tests, and chemotherapy reports
Tips for patients
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for possible lab tests.
Tips for caregivers
Make any arrangements you may need to be the full-time caregiver (e.g., time off work), or coordinate with others.
Take notes at appointments or record them, with the healthcare provider’s approval.
Help with keeping track of treatment team contact details and appointment times.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
How long would I need to be at the certified treatment center for CAR T?
How many appointments at the certified treatment center should I expect?
What are the possible benefits and risks of TECARTUS?
How much of my treatment costs will my insurance cover?
How can I find more information on support resources?
In a one-day appointment, T cells are collected from your blood. This process is also known as leukapheresis or apheresis.
Location
At the certified treatment center or a specialized leukapheresis center
Time
The appointment can take a full day, but it will take 3–4 hours to collect your T cells
What to expect
Blood is collected from a vein in your arm, or a central catheter?. Your blood will be passed through a machine to separate out your T cells. Your T cells will be collected, and the rest of your blood will be returned to your body.
If you require a central catheter, a separate appointment may be needed.
Tips for patients
Wear loose and comfortable clothing that allows access to both of your arms or your central catheter.
Bring something that helps you feel comfortable and pass the time (e.g., music, book, tablet, etc.).
Ask a caregiver to keep you company and to drive you home—you may feel tired after the procedure.
Tips for caregivers
Spend time with the patient during T cell collection, if you can. Your presence can help with any discomfort they may be feeling from the procedure.
Your T cells are shipped to the TECARTUS manufacturing facility, where they will be turned into CAR T cells. You will wait for at least 2–3 weeks until your CAR T cells are ready.
Location
You will wait at home
Time
At least 2–3 weeks
What to expect
Changing your T cells to CAR T cells is a rigorous process with many checkpoints to make sure all the requirements are met. Your treatment team will always keep you updated if there are any changes to your schedule.
While you wait, the treatment team may decide to put you on bridging therapy to control your cancer until your CAR T cells are ready. Examples of bridging therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation, and/or steroids. It may be
given at either the certified treatment center or your local oncology clinic.
Patients and caregivers can:
Use this time to start preparing for your upcoming stay at the treatment center, especially if you need to be away from home for over a month. For example:
Book time away from work.
Arrange home, family, or pet care.
Pack essentials and clothing for your stay.
Talk to someone in your support network and/or a professional if the wait is stressful or challenging.
Tips for patients
Follow your treatment team's guidance about what you can do to stay well—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
Will I need bridging therapy? If so, what is involved, and what side effects should I know about?
What can I do to stay well during the wait for my CAR T cells?
You will return to the certified treatment center for 3 days of low-dose chemotherapy to prepare your body for TECARTUS.
Location
At your certified treatment center or at an outpatient facility
Time
3 days, followed by at least 2 days of rest
What to expect
Low-dose chemotherapy is sometimes called lymphodepleting chemotherapy (LDC). The goal of LDC is not to treat cancer but to decrease (or ‘deplete’) the amount of T cells (a type of ‘lymphocyte’) in your body. This makes room for the CAR T cells you’ll receive.
Your treatment team will monitor and manage common side effects that may be caused by LDC. They will also educate you on the symptoms to look for and when you need to notify the team.
Patients and caregivers can:
Bring something that can help you pass the time (e.g., music, book, tablet, etc.).
Be prepared for responsibilities to shift as the patient may have low energy after low-dose chemotherapy.
Tips for patients
Wear loose and comfortable clothing that allows access to your arms or your central catheter.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
How will LDC differ from chemotherapy I’ve had in the past?
What are the possible side effects of LDC?
Where will I get LDC, and what can I do to prepare?
Your CAR T-cell infusion at the treatment center will last approximately 30 minutes. Patients with MCL will stay at the treatment center for at least 1 week after infusion, and patients with ALL will stay at the treatment center for at least 2 weeks. This is so the treatment team can monitor you for any side effects.
Location
At the certified treatment center
Time
At least a 1-week stay for patients with MCL and at least a 2-week stay for patients with ALL
What to expect
On the day of your infusion, your team will take some time to prepare you for treatment. This may include giving you some premedications.
You’ll receive a one-time TECARTUS infusion that puts millions of your own CAR T cells into your body.
Patients with MCL will need to stay at the treatment center for at least one week after infusion, and patients with ALL will need to stay for at least two weeks. This is in case serious side effects happen. Serious side effects are most likely in the first few weeks after treatment.
While you are at the treatment center, your team will monitor you frequently and manage any side effects that may occur. They will also teach you how to look out for side effects. You can learn more by visiting the Managing side effects page and Important Facts about TECARTUS.
Patients and caregivers can:
Make other arrangements, for example:
Book time away from work.
Arrange home, family, or pet care.
Pack essentials and clothing for your stay.
Consider bringing a comfort item that reminds you of home or loved ones (e.g., a favorite item, piece of clothing, photo, etc.).
This can be a time of heightened emotions, so it’s important to check in with each other during treatment.
Tips for patients
You know yourself best, so talk to your caregiver and your treatment team about how you're feeling.
Staying in touch with friends and family at home can help you feel connected during your time away.
Tips for caregivers
You will be spending lots of time with the treatment team during this step—don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Remember to take care of yourself too. Ask the treatment team about good times for you to take a break and recharge.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
What will the day of the infusion look like?
What side effects should we be aware of, and what signs should we look out for?
What might be done to manage side effects?
Is there anything else we can do to prepare for the stay at the treatment center?
After you leave the certified treatment center, you will need to stay close by for a few weeks until at least 4 weeks after infusion.
Location
Near the certified treatment center
Time
Until at least 4 weeks after infusion
What to expect
When the treatment team feels you are ready, you will be discharged from the treatment center. The treatment team will ask you to stay close by, so that you can be monitored and get immediate help if side effects occur. This may be your home, if you live close, or a temporary accommodation.
Before you leave the treatment center, the treatment team will review all the possible side effects with you. You will be responsible for monitoring side effects once you’ve left the center.
You must get in contact with your treatment team right away if you think a side effect is happening. You can also contact your team with questions at any time.
Patients and caregivers can:
Plan for accommodations near the treatment center if you will be staying away from home during this time.
Review the possible side effects page and Important Facts about TECARTUS, and keep your treatment team's contact information handy. Getting medical attention right away may keep side effects from becoming more serious.
Make sure your Patient Wallet Card is filled in. Your team will give you this card to keep with you at all times. Show this card if you have to go to the emergency room or see another physician.
Tips for patients
Make sure a caregiver is with you at all times, and can help you with things like transportation.
Tips for caregivers
Be prepared to drive or organize transportation for the patient as they are not allowed to drive for at least 8 weeks after infusion.
Always be on the lookout for possible side effects. You will likely be the first to notice if something seems different with the patient. You can learn more by visiting the Managing side effects page and Important Facts about TECARTUS.
Plan and prepare for meals that can support recovery and reduce the risk of food poisoning. Talk to your treatment team for recommendations.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
What side effects should we look out for?
What number should we contact if we think a side effect is happening?
A central catheter is a medical device that makes it easier to draw blood and give treatments. It helps reduce the number of needle sticks during treatment. It is placed into your neck, chest, or arm to connect to a large vein in your body.
Your treatment team may recommend that you get a central catheter before the day of your appointment. It can be removed after your apheresis appointment, or it can stay in place for weeks or months if needed.
Approved Uses
TECARTUS is a treatment for adults with mantle cell lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia ...
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about TECARTUS?
TECARTUS may cause side effects that are life-threatening and can lead to death ...
TECARTUS is a treatment for adults with mantle cell lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is used following disease progression while on or after other treatment. TECARTUS is different than other cancer medicines because it is made from your own white blood cells, which have been modified to recognize and attack your lymphoma cells.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about TECARTUS?
TECARTUS may cause side effects that are life-threatening and can lead to death. Call or see your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following:
Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
Difficulty breathing
Chills or shaking chills
Confusion
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Severe fatigue or weakness
It is important to tell your healthcare provider that you received TECARTUS and to show them your TECARTUS Patient Wallet Card. Your healthcare provider may give you other medicines to treat your side
effects.
Before getting TECARTUS, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical problems, including if you have or have had:
Neurologic problems (such as seizures, stroke, or memory loss)
Lung or breathing problems
Heart problems
Liver problems
Kidney problems
A recent or active infection
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How will I receive TECARTUS?
Since TECARTUS is made from your own white blood cells, your blood will be collected by a process called “leukapheresis” (loo-kah-fur-ee-sis), which will concentrate your white blood cells.
Your blood cells will be sent to a manufacturing center to make your TECARTUS.
Before you get TECARTUS, you will get 3 days of chemotherapy to prepare your body.
When your TECARTUS is ready, your healthcare provider will give it to you through a catheter placed into your vein (intravenous infusion). The infusion usually takes less than 30 minutes.
You will be monitored where you received your treatment daily for at least 7 days for patients with MCL and at least 14 days for patients with ALL after the infusion.
You should plan to stay close to the location where you received your treatment for at least 4 weeks after getting TECARTUS. Your healthcare provider will help you with any side effects that may
occur.
You may be hospitalized for side effects. Your healthcare provider will discharge you if your side effects are under control and it is safe for you to leave the hospital.
Your healthcare provider will want to do blood tests to follow your progress. It is important that you do have your blood tested. If you miss an appointment, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule.
What should I avoid after receiving TECARTUS?
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous things for 8 weeks after you get TECARTUS because the treatment can cause sleepiness, confusion, weakness, and temporary memory and coordination problems.
Do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation.
What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of TECARTUS?
The most common side effects of TECARTUS include:
Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
Low white blood cells (can occur with a fever)
Low red blood cells
Low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, feeling tired, short of breath)
Fast heartbeat
Confusion
Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
Nausea
Diarrhea
These are not all the possible side effects of TECARTUS. Call your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs
to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the Important Facts, including IMPORTANT
WARNINGS.
You’ve reached the end of the Approved Uses and Important Safety Information. Click “Okay” to minimize the tray. You can reopen the full information at any time by clicking the “Read” button at the bottom
of the screen.
Step 7
Recovery at home
Your treatment team will let you know when you are no longer required to stay near the treatment center. This usually happens about 4 weeks after infusion. At this point you may return home if you live further away. You may also start returning to your local oncologist for follow-up appointments.
Location
At home
Time
Ongoing
What to expect
When the treatment team thinks you are ready—usually about 4 weeks after infusion—you'll no longer be required to stay near the treatment center. At this point, follow-up appointments may start becoming less frequent, and you may return to seeing your local oncologist again.
You will have a CT/PET scan about a month after infusion to see how your cancer has responded to CAR T. It's normal to experience some anxiety leading up to the results of this scan. You will also have blood tests and other examinations to track your progress.
At 8 weeks after the infusion, many patients are cleared to start driving again. As you start to get back to activities of daily life, you can focus on your well-being, including things like nutrition, exercise, and mental health.
Patients and caregivers can:
Talk to your healthcare team about what you can do to stay safe and well in the months following treatment.
Clarify where you need to go for follow-up appointments. If you miss an appointment, it's important to reschedule as soon as possible.
Make sure to carry a completed Patient Wallet Card at all times. You will need to show this to any healthcare provider you visit.
Plan and prepare for meals that can support recovery and reduce the risk of food poisoning. Talk to your treatment team for recommendations.
As you recover from treatment, you may find it helpful to speak to someone about your experience, whether it's a professional (therapist), another patient or caregiver, or a friend.
Tips for patients
Take care to avoid infections:
Avoid certain chores, including gardening and cleaning up after pets.
Avoid large crowds.
Practice good hygiene and follow food safety guidelines.
Be patient with yourself, as it can take time to recover and regain your strength. Talk to your doctor for more information about getting back to daily activities.
Tips for caregivers
Consider asking friends and family for help, or hiring help wherever possible.
Keeping a clean home can limit sources of infection for the patient during recovery.
Be prepared to drive or organize transportation for the patient as they are not allowed to drive for at least 8 weeks after infusion.
Remember to take care of your needs too. Supporting a patient through treatment can be stressful in so many ways. Read more on the Caregiver support page.
Questions to consider asking the treatment team
If I’m not feeling well, when should I contact the local oncologist or the team at the certified treatment center? When should I seek urgent medical care? You can learn more by visiting the Managing side effects page and Important Facts about TECARTUS.
What can I do to stay safe and well while recovering at home?
What might my long-term recovery look like?
What kinds of medications or tests may I need after CAR T?
Location
Time
