tisagenlecleucel

Definition of tisagenlecleucel

tisagenlecleucel (TIH-suh-jen-LEK-loo-sel): A drug used to treat adults with certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and people up to 25 years old with certain types of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Tisagenlecleucel is made using a patient’s T cells (a type of immune system cell). A gene for a special receptor called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is added to the T cells in the laboratory. These changed T cells called CAR T cells are grown in large numbers in the laboratory and given to the patient by infusion. Tisagenlecleucel binds to a protein called CD19, which is found on some leukemia and lymphoma cells. This helps the body’s immune system kill cancer cells. Tisagenlecleucel is a type of CAR T-cell therapy. Also called Kymriah.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms