Skip to main content

Abecma (Idecabtagene Vicleucel) First-in-Class BCMA-Directed CAR T-Cell Therapy Approved for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

December 2021 Twelfth Annual Payers' Guide - FDA Approvals
Loretta Fala
Medical Writer

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that is caused by abnormal growth of plasma cells that divide and replicate excessively.1,2 The multiplication of these abnormal myeloma cells in the bone marrow can cause low blood counts and weaken the immune system. In addition, multiple myeloma can damage the bones, kidneys, and other organs and tissues.1,2

In the United States, approximately 34,920 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed annually; in 2021, an estimated 12,410 patients will die from the disease.1 The 5-year relative survival rate for all patients with multiple myeloma is 55.6% (based on 2011-2017 data).1 Multiple myeloma is diagnosed more often in older people (aged 65-74 years) than in younger people, but it can occur at a much earlier age. This type of blood cancer is 1.6 times more common in men than in women.1

The most common treatments for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, targeted therapy, immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, nuclear export inhibitors, and inhibitors of B-cell leukemia or lymphoma 2 protein inhibitors.3

Recently, the first B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed therapy, and the first genetically modified chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy became available for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.4

Abecma First CAR T-Cell Therapy Approved for Multiple Myeloma

On March 27, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma; Celgene), an intravenous, BCMA-directed, genetically modified autologous CAR T-cell therapy, for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received ≥4 lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory drug, a proteasome inhibitor, and a CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody.4 The FDA granted idecabtagene vicleucel breakthrough therapy and orphan drug designations for this indication.4

Idecabtagene vicleucel is a first-in-class BCMA-directed agent and the first CAR T-cell therapy approved by the FDA for patients with multiple myeloma. The drug was approved with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program, because of the risk for serious neurologic adverse events, including cytokine-release syndrome (CRS); the FDA also requires a postmarketing observational study to further evaluate the long-term safety of this novel therapy.4

“While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, the long-term outlook can vary based on the individual’s age and the stage of the condition at the time of diagnosis. Today’s approval provides a new treatment option for patients who have this uncommon type of cancer,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, FDA’s Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in response to this approval.4

Mechanism of Action

BCMA is expressed on the surface of normal and malignant plasma cells that are implicated in multiple myeloma.5 Overexpression of BCMA promotes the growth of myeloma cells, as well as cell proliferation and survival.6 Idecabtagene vicleucel is the first CAR T-cell therapy that targets BCMA. The antigen-specific activation of idecabtagene vicleucel results in CAR T-cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, and the subsequent death of BCMA-expressing cells.5

Dosing and Administration

Idecabtagene vicleucel, a cell suspension administered by intravenous infusion, is available as a single dose in the range that contains a cell suspension of 300 to 460 ×106 CAR T-cells in 1 or more infusion bags.5

Idecabtagene vicleucel is available as an autologous cell therapy—using the patient’s genetically modified cells—via intravenous infusion only; a leuko-depleting filter should not be used. Before idecabtagene vicleucel is infused, the patient’s identity should be confirmed and a lympho-depleting chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine should be administered.5

Before infusion, the patient should receive premedications with acetaminophen and an H1-antihistamine; in addition, tocilizumab and emergency equipment should be available before infusion and during the recovery period. The prophylactic use of dexamethasone or other systemic corticosteroids should be avoided; their use may interfere with the activity of idecabtagene vicleucel.5

The dosing of idecabtagene vicleucel is based on the number of CAR T-cells; the recommended dose range of idecabtagene vicleucel is 300 × 106 to 460 × 106 CAR T-cells. Idecabtagene vicleucel should be administered at a certified healthcare facility.5

Pivotal Clinical Trial: KarMMa

The FDA approval of idecabtagene vicleucel was based on the results of the KarMMa study, an open-label, single-arm, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma who had received ≥3 previous lines of antimyeloma therapies, including an immunomodulatory drug, a proteasome inhibitor, and a CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody.7

Of the initial 140 patients enrolled in the study, 12 patients stopped the study before receiving treatment, and 128 received infusions with idecabtagene vicleucel.7 In the study, patients received 1 of 3 doses—150 × 106, 300 × 106, or 450 × 106 CAR T-cells.7

The efficacy results were based on the overall response rate and duration of response, as assessed by an Independent Response Committee using the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria.5

The efficacy-evaluable population included 100 patients (median age, 62 years; range, 33-78 years) who received idecabtagene vicleucel. Overall, 88% of the patients received ≥4 previous lines of therapy (median, 6 lines; range, 3-16 lines), 85% had disease refractory to 3 drug classes, and 92% had undergone autologous stem-cell transplant.5

Of the 100 evaluable patients who received idecabtagene vicleucel at the dose of 300 × 106 or 460 × 106 CAR T-cells, 72 patients had a response to therapy, which included 28 patients with stringent complete response (Table 1).5 Stringent complete response has been defined by the IMWG as a complete response and a normal serum immunoglobulin-free light chain ratio and absence of clonal cells in bone marrow biopsy by immunohistochemistry.8

Table

The median time to initial response in the study was 30 days (range, 15-88 days).5 The median duration of response was 19 months for patients with a stringent complete response and 11.9 months for all responders (Table 2).5

Table

In addition, of all the patients who received idecabtagene vicleucel, 21% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13-30) had negative minimal residual disease (MRD) status; among those who had a complete response or a stringent complete response to therapy, 75% (95% CI, 55-89) of the patients had a negative MRD status.5

Adverse Reactions

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions reported with idecabtagene vicleucel included CRS (85%), infections (pathogen unspecified, 51%), fatigue (45%), musculoskeletal pain (45%), hypogammaglobulinemia (41%), diarrhea (35%), upper respiratory tract infection (34%), nausea (29%), viral infection (27%), encephalopathy (26%), edema (25%), pyrexia (25%), cough (23%), headache (23%), and decreased appetite (22%).5

The most common (≥50%) laboratory adverse reactions included neutropenia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities included neutropenia (96%), leukopenia (96%), lymphopenia (92%), thrombocytopenia (63%), anemia (63%), and hypophosphatemia (45%).5

Serious nonlaboratory adverse reactions occurred in 67% of the patients, including CRS (18%), general physical health deterioration (10%), pneumonia (12%), infections (pathogen unspecified, 19%), viral infections (9%), sepsis (7%), and febrile neutropenia (6%). In all, 6% of the patients died because of adverse reactions to therapy.5

Drug–Laboratory Test Interactions

Some commercial HIV nucleic acid tests may yield false-positive results in patients who are receiving idecabtagene vicleucel.5

Use in Specific Populations

Data on the use of idecabtagene vicleucel in pregnant women are not available to assess whether it can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Idecabtagene vicleucel is not recommended for pregnant women. Women of reproductive potential should be tested for pregnancy status before treatment with idecabtagene vicleucel is initiated.5

Data are not available on the presence of idecabtagene vicleucel in human milk or its effect on the breastfed infant or milk production.5

No clinically important differences in the efficacy of idecabtagene vicleucel were observed between patients aged ≥65 years and younger patients.5

Warnings and Precautions

The prescribing information for idecabtagene vicleucel includes a boxed warning about the risk for CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, as well as severe or life-threatening neurologic adverse events. Idecabtagene vicleucel should not be used in patients with an active infection or with an inflammatory disorder, and patients should be monitored for neurologic events.5

Other serious warnings include the risk for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome, including fatal and life-threatening reactions, and the risk for prolonged cytopenia with bleeding and infection, including fatal outcomes after stem-cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery.5

Patients should be monitored for hypersensitivity reactions while idecabtagene vicleucel is being infused and should be monitored for signs and symptoms of infection.5

Hypogammaglobulinemia can occur in patients receiving idecabtagene vicleucel. After treatment with idecabtagene vicleucel, the patient’s immunoglobulin levels should be monitored; immunoglobulin replacement therapy should be considered, if appropriate.5

Patients should be advised to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous activities for 8 weeks after infusion of idecabtagene vicleucel.5

Conclusion

Idecabtagene vicleucel is a first-in-class BCMA-targeted therapy and the first CAR T-cell therapy to receive FDA approval for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. It offers a novel treatment option for patients who have received at least 4 other types of anti-myeloma drug therapy. In the pivotal KarMMa study, idecabtagene vicleucel demonstrated a 72% overall response rate and an 11-month median duration of response among patients who had a partial or complete response to treatment. Idecabtagene vicleucel, a new type of gene therapy, may improve outcomes for patients whose disease has stopped responding to or continued to progress after several types of current therapies.

References

  1. National Cancer Institute SEER Program. Cancer stat facts: myeloma. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html. Accessed June 16, 2021.
  2. American Cancer Society. What is multiple myeloma? Updated February 28, 2018. www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html. Accessed June 16, 2021.
  3. National Cancer Institute. Plasma cell neoplasms (including multiple myeloma) treatment (PDQ)–health professional version. Updated May 14, 2021. www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/hp/myeloma-treatment-pdq#link/_1020. Accessed June 16, 2021.
  4. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first cell-based gene therapy for adult patients with multiple myeloma. March 27, 2021. www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-cell-based-gene-therapy-adult-patients-multiple-myeloma. Accessed June 16, 2021.
  5. Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) suspension for intravenous infusion [prescribing information]. Celgene Corporation, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; March 2021. https://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_abecma.pdf. Accessed June 16, 2021.
  6. Tai YT, Acharya C, An G, et al. APRIL and BCMA promote human multiple myeloma growth and immunosuppression in the bone marrow microenvironment. Blood. 2016;127:3225-3236.
  7. Munshi NC, Anderson LD Jr, Shan N, et al. Idecabtagene vicleucel in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:705-716.
  8. Kumar S, Paiva B, Anderson KC, et al. International Myeloma Working Group consensus criteria for response and minimal residual disease assessment in multiple myeloma. Lancet Oncol. 2016;17:e328-e346.
Related Items
Directory of FDA Approvals, August Through December 2023
December 2023 Vol 16, Payers' Guide to FDA Updates published on January 26, 2024 in FDA Approvals
Iwilfin FDA Approved for Adults and Pediatric Patients with High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Web Exclusives published on January 16, 2024 in FDA Approvals
Welireg Now FDA Approved for Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Web Exclusives published on January 16, 2024 in FDA Approvals
Ogsiveo First Treatment FDA Approved for Desmoid Tumors
Web Exclusives published on January 2, 2024 in FDA Approvals
Keytruda Plus Chemotherapy Receives New FDA Approvals for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer and 2 Forms of Advanced Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
Web Exclusives published on December 18, 2023 in FDA Approvals
Last modified: November 29, 2021