This site has been produced by Kite, a Gilead Company

Lymphodepleting chemotherapy

Lymphodepleting chemotherapyBefore you receive your infusion, you will need to undergo a few days of low dose chemotherapy. This treatment is known as lymphodepleting chemotherapy – or preparative chemotherapy.

It is intended to prepare your body for CAR T-cell therapy by removing some of the lymphocytes and T cells still circulating in your body. This creates more room for the CAR T-cells to work.

Treatment during the week before infusion

Lymphodepleting chemotherapy treatment is administered over 3 days in the week before your CAR T infusion.

Following this treatment you need to allow 2 days to let the treatment clear from your system.

As with all chemotherapy, this treatment may have side effects

These side effects may be similar to the effects of previous treatments, or they may be different.

Some of these side effects can be serious, so you may wish to discuss them with your doctor or healthcare team in advance as they can give you advice on how to manage them.

Some of the common side effects of lymphodepleting chemotherapy are:

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Infections
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Bruising or bleeding
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Sore mouth and ulcers
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Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhoea
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Hair loss
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Skin changes, rashes or nail changes
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Eye problems
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Tiredness, muscle or joint pains
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Bladder irritation, effects on the kidneys and liver, build-up of fluid
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Peripheral neuropathy (numb, tingling or painful hands or feet)
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Headaches

Some of these side effects can be serious, so you may wish to discuss them with your doctor or healthcare team in advance as they can give you advice on how to manage them.

It is important to tell your healthcare team straight away if you have a temperature, feel unwell or have any severe side effects – even if they are not listed here.

Next Step

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet.

United Kingdom: Reporting of side effects

For patients residing in the United Kingdom, you can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of your medicine.

Republic of Ireland: Reporting of side effects

For patients residing in the Republic of Ireland, you can also report side effects directly via the HPRA website at www.hpra.ie. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of your medicine.

This site is a patient information resource, intended only for patients residing in the United Kingdom and Ireland who are being referred for or have been prescribed CAR T-cell therapy by their healthcare professional. This site has been developed and paid for by Kite, a Gilead Company.

This site has been produced by Kite, a Gilead Company

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UK-UNB-3794 April 2023