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Abecma is the brand name for idecabtagene vicleucel, a personalized chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy used for certain adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. It is made from a patient's own T cells, which are genetically modified to recognize B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on myeloma cells. Abecma is given as a one-time intravenous infusion after the cells are prepared.
read more about abecma ...Abecma targets BCMA, a protein found on the surface of normal and cancerous plasma cells. A patient's T cells are collected and modified in a laboratory so they carry a CAR that recognizes BCMA. After infusion, these CAR T cells can bind to BCMA-expressing cells, become activated, multiply, release immune signals, and kill targeted myeloma cells.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Abecma for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after two or more prior lines of therapy. Those earlier treatments must include an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Treatment is considered when multiple myeloma has returned after therapy or hasn't responded adequately to prior treatment.
Treatment starts with leukapheresis, a procedure that collects T cells from the patient's blood. The cells are sent for genetic modification and manufacturing. Before Abecma is infused, patients receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy to prepare the immune system. Abecma is then given intravenously as a single dose, followed by close medical monitoring for early treatment-related reactions and neurologic symptoms.
Abecma carries a boxed warning for cytokine release syndrome, neurologic toxicities, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis or macrophage activation syndrome, prolonged cytopenia, and secondary hematologic malignancies. Other risks include serious infections, low immunoglobulin levels, and hypersensitivity reactions. Patients need blood-count monitoring and rapid medical assessment for fever, breathing problems, confusion, severe weakness, unusual bleeding, or other concerning symptoms after treatment.
No. Abecma is a cellular immunotherapy made from a patient's own T cells. Chemotherapy is used beforehand to prepare the body for the CAR T-cell infusion.
No. Abecma is administered as a single infusion after the patient's T cells have been collected, modified, and prepared. Follow-up monitoring continues after the infusion.
Yes. Abecma has a boxed warning for several serious risks, including cytokine release syndrome, neurologic toxicities, prolonged cytopenia, HLH/MAS, and secondary hematologic malignancies.
No. The FDA eliminated the Abecma REMS requirement in June 2025. Its boxed warnings and post-infusion safety monitoring requirements remain in place.
ABECMA. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/abecma. Date Accessed September 10, 2026.
ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel), suspension for intravenous infusion. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b90c1fe7-f5cc-464e-958a-af36e9c26d7c. Date Accessed September 10, 2026.
FDA Eliminates Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for Autologous Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Immunotherapies. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/fda-eliminates-risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems-autologous-chimeric-antigen-receptor. Date Accessed September 10, 2026.
Idecabtagene vicleucel. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/idecabtagene-vicleucel. Date Accessed September 10, 2026.
Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment (PDQ?). https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/hp/myeloma-treatment-pdq. Date Accessed September 10, 2026.