Afamitresgene Autoleucel

This information from UpToDate^® Lexidrug^™ explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Tecelra

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat a type of cancer called synovial sarcoma.
• Your child may need to have other treatment for a period of time before getting this drug. This may raise the risk of side effects during this time, which can affect the timing of getting this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has an infection.
• If your child has a health problem that includes inflammation.
• If your child is taking a steroid like prednisone.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Your child will be watched closely for signs of CRS and nervous system problems for at least 7 days after getting this drug. Your child will also need to stay close to a healthcare facility for at least 2 weeks after getting it.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness for 2 weeks after getting this drug. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
• Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• This drug may lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells that the body needs. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Your child may bleed more easily. Make sure your child is careful and avoids injury. Be sure your child has a soft toothbrush.
• Some viral infections may become active again with this drug. This includes cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Tell the doctor if your child has ever had one of these infections.
• Hepatitis and HIV testing will be done before taking this drug.
• This drug may raise the risk of other cancers. This includes certain types of blood cancer. The doctor will watch for this. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your child’s health care providers and lab workers that your child takes this drug.
• Do not let your child donate blood, organs, or tissues or cells. Talk with your child’s doctor to see when your child can do these things after getting this drug.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• A pregnancy test will be done to show that your child is NOT pregnant before starting this drug. If your child gets pregnant while taking this drug, call the doctor right away.
• If your child may become pregnant, birth control must be used for some time after getting this drug. Ask the doctor how long birth control must be used after your child gets this drug.
• Tell the doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about any risks to the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Chest pain.
• Swelling.
• Shortness of breath.
• A fast heartbeat.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• A severe health problem called immune effector cell-associate neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) can happen with this drug. Sometimes ICANS can be deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child feels very sleepy, tired, or weak, or has confusion, trouble speaking or writing, memory loss, muscle weakness, shakiness, or seizures.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Weight loss.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Dizziness or headache.
• Back, muscle, arm, or leg pain.
• Hair loss.
• Stomach pain.
• Constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, throwing up, and decreased appetite are common with this drug. If these happen, talk with the doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call the doctor right away if any of these effects bother your child, do not get better, or are severe.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• Other drugs may be given before this drug to help avoid side effects.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• This drug will be given in a health care setting.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• This drug will be given in a hospital or doctor’s office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2026-07-09

Copyright

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