What's the difference between Kymriah and Yescarta?
Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) and Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) are two cell-based gene therapies. They both work by modifying a patient’s T cells to attack cancer cells in the body. Additionally, both medications involve collecting a patient’s T cells, modifying them in a laboratory, and reinfusing them back into the patient.
Kymriah and Yescarta attach to a protein called CD19. CD19 is found on some leukemia and lymphoma cells. This helps the body's immune system kill cancerous B cells. Two differences between the two medications is who and what they are FDA approved for, and which companies make them. The comparison table below highlights a few other differences between Kymriah and Yescarta.
Comparison Chart of Kymriah and Yescarta
Kymriah | Yescarta | |
Generic name | Tisagenlecleucel | Axicabtagene ciloleucel |
Manufacturer | Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation | Kite Pharma, Inc. |
Drug class | CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy | CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy |
First approved in US | August 2017 | October 2017 |
Dosage form | Suspension for intravenous infusion | Suspension for intravenous infusion |
Uses |
|
|
Dosage in adults | Administer 0.6 to 6.0 x 108 CAR-positive viable T cells | Administer 2 × 106 CAR-positive viable T cells per kg body weight, with a maximum of 2 × 108 CAR-positive viable T cells |
REMS program | Yes | Yes |
Kymriah and Yescarta have not been compared to each other directly in studies. Cancer treatment is highly personalized and your healthcare provider can help you decide the best treatment option for you.
Related questions
References
Kymriah [package insert]. Updated June 2024. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=aad3ba54-dfd3-4cb3-9e2b-c5ef89559189
Nucleus Biologics. Kymriah vs. Yescarta. 2021. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://nucleusbiologics.com/educational-content/kymriah-vs-yescarta/
Yescarta [package insert]. Updated June 2024. Kite Pharma, Inc. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9b70606e-b99c-4272-a0f1-b5523cce0c59
Read next
What type of drug is Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel)?
Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. In CAR-T cell therapy, a patient's cells are genetically modified to include a new protein that directs that specific white blood cell (known as T-cell) to target and kill leukemia cells. Continue reading
What is the cost of Yescarta?
The cost of Yescarta is about $424,000 per treatment regimen, but most people do not pay this amount. Your insurance or the manufacturer may cover many of the costs for this treatment. Each dose of Yescarta is a customized treatment created using a patient’s own immune system to help fight lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). Continue reading
How is Yescarta administered?
Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) is given through a catheter placed into your vein (intravenous infusion). The infusion usually takes less than 30 minutes and is given as a one-time infusion. Yescarta is administered only in a certified healthcare facility. Continue reading
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