We all know that fighting cancer is not an easy task. But with the advancement of medical science, new and powerful treatments have been introduced to the world to help us in this fight. You may think these treatments are a bit complicated and scary. But the hope they bring is very great. Today we are going to talk about one such new treatment. That is the treatment called Axicabtagene Ciloleucel.
What is Axicabtagene Ciloleucel?
Simply put, this is gene therapy . This is not a regular pill or capsule that you are given. This is made from your own immune system cells.
Think of your body's immune cells as an army defending a country. Sometimes, enemies called cancer cells hide from this army, tricking them and spreading throughout the body.
This is what this Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (brand name: YESCARTA) treatment does.
1. First, blood is taken from your body and your own immune cells (T-cells) are isolated from it.
2. Then, those cells are sent to a specialized laboratory and genetically modified. It's like giving our soldiers special training and a special weapon (called a Chimeric Antigen Receptor or CAR) that can accurately recognize enemies.
3. Millions of cells trained in this way and given superpowers are then infused back into your body through a vein.
4. Now these super soldiers can precisely locate, identify, and destroy cancer cells hiding in the body.
This treatment is currently mainly used to treat several types of lymphoma. For example, it is very effective in conditions such as large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma .
What should you tell your medical team before starting treatment?
Since this is a very specialized treatment, it is essential that you inform your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
- Heart disease: If you have any heart disease.
- Paralysis: If you have had a stroke before.
- Infection: If you currently have an infection in the body (such as fever, cough, cold).
- Kidney or liver disease: If you have kidney or liver problems.
- Lung diseases: If you have breathing difficulties such as asthma.
- If you have recently received or are due to receive a vaccine: You should be aware of this, especially about live vaccines .
- Seizures : If you have had a history of seizures .
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This is very important.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
Talking openly with your doctor about all of this is very important for the success of your treatment as well as your safety.
Things to consider during and after treatment
You may have regular blood tests while you are receiving this treatment. Also, be especially careful about the following:
Protect yourself from infections
After this treatment, your body's ability to fight infections may be slightly reduced. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and cough , do not self-medicate. Call your doctor immediately for advice. Also, try to stay away from people who are sick.
Driving and work requiring attention
This medicine may make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
A few other important points
- Do not donate blood while taking this treatment.
- Do not become pregnant while taking this treatment. If you are a woman, are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately because there is a risk of serious side effects to the unborn baby.
- Talk to your doctor about any risk of developing other types of cancer due to this treatment.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any powerful treatment, there are potential side effects. Some of these should be reported immediately, while others are less serious. Let's break them down.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Immediately notify your doctor or the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest. |
| Mental confusion | Memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, urinary tract infection. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of low red blood cells | Paleness, extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing. |
| Stomach ache | Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. |
| 👍 If it persists or is bothersome, inform your doctor. | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Appetite | Loss of appetite. |
| Headache | Normal headache. |
| Tremor | Uncontrolled shaking of limbs, such as limbs. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
What if I overdose?
Since this treatment is given in a hospital under the close supervision of medical professionals, there is little risk of overdose. However, if you experience any adverse reactions, the medical team will be notified immediately. If you need advice on any poisoning, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Take-Home Message
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel is a highly advanced gene therapy that uses your own immune cells to fight cancer.
- Before undergoing this treatment, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about your complete health history (including heart disease, infections, allergies).
- After treatment, be vigilant for signs of infection such as fever, cough, confusion, and difficulty breathing. If this occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require attention as drowsiness and dizziness may occur during treatment.
- This is a treatment designed specifically for you. If you have any questions or concerns about this, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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