Tecvayli
Pronunciation: tek-vay-lee
Generic name: teclistamab-cqyv
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection
Drug class: Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE)
What is Tecvayli?
Tecvayli (teclistamab) is an FDA-approved medicine for multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow) that is used by adults who have not responded to at least 4 prior treatments, or who have relapsed despite prior treatments. Tecvayli helps the immune system fight cancer cells by binding to them, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells.
Tecvayli is available under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).
Who can use Tecvayli?
Tecvayli is used in patients who have already received at least 4 treatment regimens for their multiple myeloma, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. It is used when the cancer has come back or did not respond to prior treatment.
How does Tecvayli work?
In multiple myeloma, there is a high number of certain antigens present on the cancer cells called BCMA (short for B-cell maturation antigen). Tecvayli is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and binds to these BCMA antigens on the cancer cells. It also binds to a protein on the surface of T cells (cells in the immune system) called CD3. By doing so, Tecvayli helps activate the immune system to kill the cancer cells.
Warnings
Tecvayli may cause side effects that are serious, life-threatening, or lead to death, including:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Call your doctor if you have symptoms of a serious side effect, such as fever, chills, trouble breathing, vomiting, or severe tiredness.
- Neurologic problems. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of neurological problems such as headache, jerking muscle movements, numbness and tingling, tremors, double vision, problems walking, or hearing loss.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of CRS or neurologic problems listed below at any time during your treatment:
Due to the risk of CRS and neurologic symptoms, you will need to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after all doses of Tecvayli that are part of the “step-up dosing schedule.” For more information about the “Step-up dosing schedule” see How will I receive Tecvayli? section below.
Related/similar drugs
Carvykti, Abecma, Darzalex, Revlimid, Velcade, Pomalyst, Kyprolis
Before taking this medicine
To make sure Tecvayli is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- an infection.
Pregnancy
- You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
- May harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control while using teclistamab and for at least 5 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Breastfeeding
- Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 5 months after your last dose.
How will I receive Tecvayli?
Follow all the directions on your instruction sheets. Read the Patient Wallet Card about serious side effects and learn what symptoms to watch for. Keep the card with you at all times.
Tecvayli is given by a healthcare provider as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in the stomach-area, thigh, or another area.
Tecvayli is given initially as Step-up doses.
- This means the first dose is the lowest dose and is called Step-up dose 1. It is given on day 1.
- The second dose is slightly higher and is called Step-up dose 2. It is usually given on day 4.
The next dose is the first treatment dose which is higher than step-up dose 1 and step-up dose 2. The first treatment dose is usually on day 7 and is usually weekly after that.
You will need to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after Step-up dose 1, Step-up dose 2, and your first treatment dose. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects. Keep taking these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
Your treatment with this medicine may be temporarily or completely discontinued if you have certain side effects.
You will need medical tests before and during treatment with Tecvayli.
Tecvayli maintenance dosage
Patients who have achieved and maintained a complete response or better for a minimum of 6 months may be transferred to biweekly dosing.
Tecvayli Dosing information
Tecvayli is available as:
- 30 mg/3 mL (10 mg/mL) single-dose vial
- 153 mg/1.7 mL (90 mg/mL) single-dose vial.
Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma
Dosing Schedule |
Day |
Dose |
|
Step-up Dosing Schedule |
Day 1 |
Step-up dose 1 |
0.06 mg/kg |
Day 4 |
Step-up dose 2 |
0.3 mg/kg |
|
Day 7 |
First treatment dose |
1.5 mg/kg |
|
Weekly Dosing Schedule |
One week after the first treatment dose and weekly thereafter |
Subsequent treatment doses |
1.5 mg/kg once weekly |
Patients who have achieved and maintained a complete response or better for a minimum of 6 months |
|||
Biweekly (every 2 weeks) dosing schedule |
The dosing frequency may be decreased to 1.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks |
Comments:
- Patients should be hospitalized for 48 hours after administration of all doses within the step-up dosing schedule.
- Step-up dose 2 may be given between 2 to 4 days after step-up dose 1 and may be given up to 7 days after step-up dose 1 to allow for resolution of adverse reactions.
- The first treatment dose may be given between 2 to 4 days after step-up dose 2 and may be given up to 7 days after step-up dose 2 to allow for resolution of adverse reactions.
- Administer pretreatment medications 1 to 3 hours before each dose of the step-up dosing schedule, which includes step-up dose 1, step-up dose 2, and the first treatment dose to reduce the risk of CRS: corticosteroid (oral or intravenous dexamethasone 16 mg), histamine-1 (H1) receptor antagonist (oral or intravenous diphenhydramine 50 mg or equivalent), and antipyretics (oral or intravenous acetaminophen 650 mg to 1,000 mg or equivalent).
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving Tecvayli?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity for 48 hours after receiving certain doses of this medicine or until neurological symptoms go away. Your reactions could be impaired.
Tecvayli side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your medical caregivers if you have signs of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a serious side effects: fever, chills, trouble breathing, confusion, severe vomiting or diarrhea, fast or irregular heartbeats, feeling light-headed or very tired.
Tecvayli may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
- bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding where an injection was given;
- low white blood cell counts: symptoms may include fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough;
- neurological problems: symptoms may include headache, jerking muscle movements, rigid muscles, feeling restless, numbness and tingling, confusion, problems speaking, muscle spasms, tremors, double vision, changes in handwriting, problems walking, muscle weakness in body or face, hearing loss, burning, throbbing, or stabbing pain;
- signs of infection: symptoms may include fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding; or
- liver problems: symptoms may include loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Tecvayli side effects may include:
- headache;
- nausea, diarrhea;
- tiredness, weakness;
- joint pain, muscle pain in the back, chest, arms, and legs;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
- fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Tecvayli?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. To check for interactions with Tecvayli click on the link below.
Storage
- Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F.
- Tevayli should be stored in the original carton to protect it from light.
- Do not freeze.
What are the ingredients of Tecvayli?
Active ingredient: teclistamab-cqyv
Inactive ingredients: edetate disodium, glacial acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate, sucrose, Water for Injection
Manufacturer:
Janssen Biotech, Inc., Horsham, PA 19044
Further information
Popular FAQ
What is the mechanism of action for Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv)?
The active substance in Tecvayli, teclistamab-cqyv, is an antibody that works by activating T-cells (a type of white blood cell) in the immune system to help find and kill multiple myeloma cancer cells in your body. Tecavyli helps to bring together the cancer cell and the T-cell for anti-cancer action. Continue reading
Is Tecvayli FDA approved as a multiple myeloma treatment?
Yes, Tecavyli (generic name: teclistamab-cqyv) received accelerated approval by the FDA in October 2022 to treat adults with multiple myeloma (cancer of cells in bone marrow) that has come back or failed previous treatment. Patients eligible for Tecvayli have a high unmet need for treatment, as they have received at least 4 prior lines of cancer therapy. Continue reading
What’s the difference between Tecvayli and Talvey?
Both Tecvayli and Talvey are bispecific CD3 T-cell engager antibody drugs used to treat multiple myeloma, but they target different proteins on the myeloma cancer cell to cause its death. Tecvayli targets B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and Talvey targets G protein-coupled receptor, class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D). Continue reading
Where can I find the Tecvayli FDA package insert?
You can access the Tecvayli package insert from several places. You can find the Tecvalyli FDA package insert on the Janssen website, on the Drugs@FDA website, or under the FDA Professional Drug Information section on Drugs.com. Continue reading
What is the success rate of Tecvayli?
In the Phase 1/2 MajesTEC-1 study, the success rate of Tecvayli showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 61.8% (95%CI: 52.1 to 70.9%) in 110 patients with advanced multiple myeloma who had received at least 3 prior lines of therapy. Continue reading
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