Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is now a certified treatment center for CARVYKTI®, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) from Janssen Biotech Inc. is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
Northside is one of two CARVYKTI-certified treatment centers in Georgia and is among select centers in the country offering CAR T-cell therapy.
CARVYKTI is the sixth CAR-T therapy available to patients at Northside. The hospital also offers ABECMA®, BREYANZI™, YESCARTA™, KYMRIAH® and TECARTUS™ immunotherapies.
How it works: CAR T-cell therapy is one of the most promising cell-based cancer immunotherapies available. The treatment option involves taking immune cells directly from a patient and genetically modifying them to be more effective in fighting tumors. The cells are then replicated in laboratories and prepared for reinfusion back into the patient.
Why it matters: Multiple myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells in a patient’s bone marrow and grows out of control to other parts of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, it is a relatively uncommon cancer; about 35,730 new cases were expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023. A variety of symptoms can occur in multiple myeloma, most notably low blood counts, bone weakness and increased fractures, infections and kidney problems.
What they’re saying: “Myeloma is considered an incurable disease and patients continue to relapse after all available lines of therapy,” said Dr. Melhem M. Solh, medical director of the cellular therapy program at Northside Hospital.
“With the addition of CARVYKTI, we have one more tool in our toolbox to effectively treat our patients," said Dr. Solh. "Patients treated for multiple myeloma at Northside now have access to all FDA-approved CAR-T treatments and several clinical trials.”
Next steps: To make a CAR T-cell referral, or to speak with a physician, please call 404-255-1930.
Read more about the Immunotherapy Program at Northside.
