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Afamitresgene Autoleucel Injection

Brand Name(s): Tecelra®

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Afamitresgene autoleucel may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction called cytokine release syndrome (CRS). A doctor or nurse will monitor you carefully during your infusion, during your stay at the healthcare facility (at least 7 days), and for at least 4 weeks after your treatment. You will be given medications 30 to 60 minutes before your infusion to help prevent reactions to afamitresgene autoleucel. If you experience any of the following symptoms during and after your infusion, tell your doctor immediately: fever, chills/shivering, difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness or lightheadedness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, headache, or rash.

Afamitresgene autoleucel is only available through a special restricted distribution program because of the risks of CRS. You can only receive the medication from a doctor and healthcare facility that participates in the program. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this program.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with afamitresgene autoleucel. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of receiving afamitresgene autoleucel.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Afamitresgene autoleucel is used in adults to treat certain types of synovial sarcoma that cannot be treated with surgery or is unresponsive to other treatments. Afamitresgene autoleucel is in a class of medications called autologous cellular immunotherapy, a type of medication prepared using cells from the patient's own blood. It works by causing the body's immune system (a group of cells, tissues, and organs that protects the body from attack by bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and other substances that cause disease) to fight the cancer cells.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Afamitresgene autoleucel is also sometimes used to treat other conditions. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Afamitresgene autoleucel comes as a suspension (liquid) to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. It is usually given in an hour or less as a one-time dose. Before you receive your afamitresgene autoleucel dose, your doctor or nurse will administer other chemotherapy medications to prepare your body for afamitresgene autoleucel.

Before your dose of afamitresgene autoleucel injection is to be given, a sample of your white blood cells will be taken at a cell collection center using a procedure called leukapheresis (a process that removes white blood cells from the body). Because this medication is made from your own cells, it must be given only to you. It is important to be on time and to not to miss your scheduled cell collection appointment(s) or to receive your treatment dose. Your healthcare provider will check you daily for at least 7 days after you receive your afamitresgene autoleucel dose to monitor you for any side effects. You should also plan to stay near where you received your afamitresgene autoleucel treatment for at least 4 weeks after your dose. Your healthcare provider will check to see if your treatment is working and monitor you for any possible side effects. Talk to your doctor about how to prepare for leukapheresis and what to expect during and after the procedure.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking afamitresgene autoleucel,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to afamitresgene autoleucel, any other medications, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or any of the ingredients in afamitresgene autoleucel injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizure, stroke, confusion, or memory loss; low blood pressure; a current infection; hepatitis B or C (HBV or HCV; viruses that infect the liver and may cause severe liver damage) or other viruses such as cytomegalovirus (a common virus that usually only causes serious symptoms in people who have weakened immune systems or who are infected at birth) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); lung or breathing problems; or kidney, heart, or liver disease.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to have a pregnancy test before you start afamitresgene autoleucel. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving afamitresgene autoleucel treatment. If you become pregnant while receiving afamitresgene autoleucel, call your doctor immediately.

  • you should know that afamitresgene autoleucel injection may make you drowsy and cause confusion, weakness, dizziness, seizures, and coordination problems. Do not drive a car or operate machinery for at least 4 weeks after your afamitresgene autoleucel dose.

  • do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells for transplantation after you receive your afamitresgene autoleucel injection.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

If you miss the appointment to collect your cells, you must call your doctor and the collection center right away. If you miss the appointment to receive your afamitresgene autoleucel dose, you must call your doctor right away.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Afamitresgene autoleucel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • constipation
  • stomach pain
  • loss of appetite
  • back pain
  • swelling

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • pale skin or shortness of breath
  • fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
  • unusual bruising or bleeding
  • disorientation to time and place, drowsiness, trouble paying attention, seizures, trouble thinking or speaking, or weakness

Afamitresgene autoleucel may increase your risk of developing certain cancers. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.

Afamitresgene autoleucel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor, the cell collection center, and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests before, during, and after your treatment to check your body's response to afamitresgene autoleucel injection.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about afamitresgene autoleucel injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Interventional Cardiology Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded ICA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary