Your T cellsT cells: A type of cell found in the body’s immune system that plays a role in fighting disease, including cancer. will be collected through a process called apheresisApheresis: The process of taking blood out of the body, removing certain parts of it, and then returning the remaining blood back into the body. This process is done in CAR T cell therapy to remove T cells before adding CARs to them. May also be called leukapheresis.
(sometimes called leukapheresis).

• Your blood is drawn and the components separated into groups. Your T cells are collected and other parts of your blood are returned back into your body
• Apheresis can be done on Day 1 as an outpatient, and usually takes 2 to 6 hours

Time: 2-6 hours

Location: Certified treatment or apheresis center

After your T cells are collected, they are sent to a specialized manufacturing laboratory.

• At the laboratory, “hooks” called CARs are added to your T cells to make the ABECMA CAR T cells that are unique to you
• After your ABECMA CAR T cells are made, they are multiplied to make more multiple myeloma–fighting cells. This takes about 4 weeks

Time: About 4 weeks (time may vary)

Location: Specialized manufacturing laboratory

There is a risk that the manufacturing process may not work. In an ABECMA clinical studyClinical study: A research study that tests the safety and effectiveness of a medicine in people with certain diseases., 6 out of 249 people were impacted.
Talk with your doctor for more information.

• Before your infusionInfusion: A method of putting fluids directly into the bloodstream., you’ll receive a 3-day short-course chemotherapyChemotherapy: In the case of CAR T cell therapy, chemotherapy destroys your immune system's T cells in order to prepare your body for treatment (sometimes called lymphodepleting chemotherapy). to help prepare
  your body for ABECMA
• While your CAR T cells are being made, you may receive other treatments for the multiple myeloma

Time: 3 days of short-course chemotherapy

Location: Treatment is given at the center by appointment

You will receive your one-time ABECMA infusion at a certified treatment center from your trained healthcare team.

• Your dose of ABECMA may be given in 1 or more infusion bags
• Your infusion usually takes up to 30 minutes for each infusion bag

Time: Up to 30 minutes per infusion bag (1 or more)

Location: Certified treatment center (Day 1 of 1-week hospital stay)

*The treatment process includes blood collection, CAR T cell creation, administration, and adverse event monitoring.

In the weeks following your ABECMA infusion, you will be monitored for side effects.

For the first 7 days after treatment

Monitoring at the treatment center

• You will stay at the certified treatment center where you got your treatment for at least 7 days after
  the infusion to be monitored for side effects

During weeks 2 to 4

• You should plan to stay within 2 hours of the certified treatment center for at least 4 weeks after receiving ABECMA. Your caregiver will keep an eye on how you’re doing and will check and record your temperature at least 3 times a day, and take you to scheduled appointments at the treatment center

After at least 4 weeks of monitoring

Monitor for side effects and tell your doctor right away if you feel symptoms of cytokine release syndrome or neurologic toxicity

• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other activities that could be dangerous if you are not mentally alert for at least 8 weeks after you receive ABECMA