Kite Presents New Data Underscoring Curative Potential of Yescarta® in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma at ASH

Rhea-AI Summary

Kite, a Gilead company, presented three new analyses for Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) at the ASH Annual Meeting, demonstrating improved outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL). The largest real-world evidence analysis showed a 71% overall survival rate in second-line treatment, consistent with the ZUMA-7 study results.

Key findings include a decreasing trend in cytokine release syndrome and related adverse events in third-line plus settings during 2017-2023, and stable long-term quality of life outcomes from the ALYCANTE study. The real-world analysis of 446 patients from 89 U.S. centers demonstrated a 79% overall response rate with a 64% complete response rate.

Positive

• 71% overall survival rate in second-line treatment
• 79% overall response rate with 64% complete response rate
• Decreasing trend in adverse events severity and duration
• Stable or improved quality of life outcomes post-treatment
• Consistent efficacy in broader patient population compared to clinical trials

Negative

• 87% of patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (5% Grade ≥3)
• 50% of patients experienced ICANS (22% Grade ≥3)
• Lower survival rates in ZUMA-7 ineligible patients (62% vs 80% at 12 months)

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The latest real-world evidence (RWE) data for Yescarta in second-line LBCL treatment shows remarkable consistency with the pivotal ZUMA-7 trial, demonstrating a 71% overall survival rate and 79% overall response rate. Most notably, these results were achieved in a broader patient population, including those who would have been ineligible for the original trial.

The decreasing trend in adverse events is particularly significant - both cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (ICANS) showed lower incidence and shorter duration in 2022-2023 compared to 2017-2019. This suggests improved management protocols and growing physician expertise with CAR-T therapy administration.

Quality of life data from the ALYCANTE study provides important validation of Yescarta's value proposition, showing stable or improved outcomes across multiple parameters after the initial treatment period. The reduction in pain scores and emotional impact is particularly meaningful for patient care.

Financial Analyst

This data strengthens Yescarta's competitive position in the $18+ billion CAR-T therapy market. The robust real-world evidence in a broader patient population could drive increased adoption and market share gains, particularly in second-line treatment where early intervention shows superior outcomes.

For Gilead (GILD), Yescarta's improved safety profile and quality of life data could accelerate market penetration and reduce barriers to adoption among community oncologists. The consistent efficacy in transplant-ineligible patients also expands the addressable market significantly. With approximately 18,000 new LBCL cases annually in the US and 30-40% requiring second-line treatment, the commercial opportunity remains substantial.

– Largest Real-World Evidence (RWE) Analysis of Yescarta in Second-Line Shows 71% Overall Survival Rate, Consistent with Pivotal ZUMA-7 Study, in Broader Patient Population with Relapsed/Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma (R/R LBCL) –

– RWE Shows Decreasing Trend Over Time of Cytokine Release Syndrome and Related Adverse Events After Yescarta Treatment in Third-Line Plus Setting –

– Findings from ALYCANTE Study Show Stable Long-Term Quality of Life for R/R LBCL Patients Treated with Yescarta –

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced findings from three new analyses for Yescarta^® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) that demonstrate improved outcomes for people living with relapsed or refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), which were presented at 66^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition.

The data include findings from the largest real-world analysis of patients who received Yescarta as second-line treatment for R/R LBCL during 2022-2023 based on Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry data (abstract #526). This real-world evidence (RWE) demonstrates high rates of overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), and other effectiveness measures, consistent with ZUMA-7 outcomes. Further RWE from CIBMTR demonstrate a decreasing trend in incidence, severity and duration of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune-effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in the third-line-plus setting during 2017-2023 (abstract #527). In addition, findings from the Phase 2 ALYCANTE study on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes following Yescarta treatment (abstract #4505), co-sponsored by the French collaborative group The Lymphoma Study Association/Lymphoma Academic Research Organization (LYSA/LYSARC) and Kite, show either stability or improvement of HRQoL three months following infusion.

“We are pleased that Yescarta’s overall survival benefit for patients with early relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma is confirmed in the largest real-world analysis of a broader patient population,” said Dominique Tonelli, VP, Global Head of Medical Affairs, Kite. “By studying outcomes in the real world, we consistently demonstrate that patients treated with Yescarta have the opportunity to live longer.”

Detailed Information on Yescarta Abstracts:

Abstract #526
Real-World Early Outcomes of Second-Line Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Axi-Cel) Therapy in Patients (Pts) With Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)

The largest real-world analysis of 446 patients from 89 U.S. centers from the CIBMTR Registry with LBCL (diffuse LBCL [DLBCL], 78%; primary mediastinal LBCL [PMBCL], 3%; high-grade B-cell lymphoma, 18%; follicular lymphoma grade IIIB, 1%) who received second-line Yescarta treatment demonstrated outcomes consistent with the ZUMA-7 study across broader patient and disease characteristics than those included in the ZUMA-7 pivotal study or Phase 2 ALYCANTE study, at a median of 12-months of follow-up.

Among all patients, ORR was 79% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75–82), with a CR rate of 64% (95% CI, 60–69). The 12-month rate of duration of response (DOR) was 66% (95% CI, 59–71), progression-free survival (PFS) was 53% (48–58), event-free survival (EFS) was 53% (48–58), and OS was 71% (66–76). Any-grade CRS and ICANS were reported in 87% (Grade ≥ 3, 5%) and 50% (Grade ≥ 3, 22%), respectively.

When assessed by ZUMA-7 eligibility, ORRs in ineligible patients (n=219) versus eligible or unknown patients (n=214) were both 79%, respectively, with CR rates of 63% and 65%, respectively. At 12-months, DOR in ZUMA-7 ineligible and eligible or unknown patients were 60% and 69%, PFS were 48% and 58%, EFS were 48% and 58%, and OS were 62% and 80%, respectively. Incidence of ICANS was 54% in ZUMA-7 ineligible patients and 45% in ZUMA-7 eligible or unknown patients. Among 13 patients with PMBCL, ORR was 69% (95% CI, 39–91), all with CR. The six-month rate (95% CI) of DOR was 100%, PFS was 68%, EFS was 68%, and OS was 100%. Incidence of any-grade CRS was 85% and ICANS was 54%.

“It is reassuring that the largest real-world dataset for axi-cel as a second-line treatment for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, across a broader patient population than the ZUMA-7 pivotal study or Phase 2 ALYCANTE study for transplant-ineligible patients, has demonstrated consistent outcomes at 12-months median follow-up as in ZUMA-7,” said Dr. Dasom (Caroline) Lee, Lead Investigator on the study and Fellow, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Stanford Medicine. “These data should provide further confidence to physicians that earlier use of axi-cel can provide the best chance for overall survival and possibly a cure for these patients.”

Abstract #527
Real-world Trends of Cytokine Release Syndrome and Neurologic Events, and Pattern of Their Management among Patients Receiving Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for Relapsed or Refractory (r/r) Large B-cell Lymphoma (LBCL) in the U.S.: a CIBMTR Report

Real-world data from 1,615 patients with R/R LBCL from 109 U.S. centers from the CIBMTR registry demonstrated a decreasing trend in incidence, severity and duration of CRS and ICANS following treatment with Yescarta for adult patients with R/R LBCL in the third-line-plus setting.

Patients who received Yescarta during 2022–2023 (n=206) and 2020–2021 (n=486) had significantly lower incidences of Grade ≥ 3 CRS compared to those treated during 2017–2019 (n=923, odds ratio [OR] 0.17, 95% CI, 0.07−0.41, and OR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.43−0.94, respectively). Furthermore, patients treated in the later time periods of 2022-2023 and 2020-2021 experienced significantly shorter duration of CRS compared to 2017-2019 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36, 95% CI, 1.14-1.64, and HR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.18-1.52, respectively).

Patients who received Yescarta during 2022–2023 and 2020–2021 had a significantly lower incidence of any-grade ICANS compared to those treated in 2017–2019 (OR 0.47, 95% CI, 0.34−0.66, and OR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.50−0.80, respectively). The duration of ICANS was also significantly shorter for those treated in 2020-2021 compared to 2017-2019 (HR 1.21, 95% CI, 1.02-1.43)

The rates of use of tocilizumab and corticosteroids for the treatment of CRS/ICANS were consistent for the three periods, although there was an increasing trend of anakinra use (1%, 6%, and 13%, respectively). Concerning other adverse events, rates of prolonged thrombocytopenia and clinically significant infections were consistent.

“Over the past seven years, there has been wider adoption of CAR T-cell therapies as a standard treatment for patients, and the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to administer the therapies safely and effectively has grown,” said Dr. Jiasheng Wang, Assistant Professor of Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. “This real-world analysis reflects a growing understanding in clinical tools such as prophylactic and preemptive management strategies that can help manage axi-cel patients safely and effectively.”

Abstract #4505
Health-related quality of life after Axi-cel as a second-line therapy in patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: results of the ALYCANTE phase II trial

New HRQoL findings from the Phase 2 ALYCANTE study, led and sponsored by the French collaborative group LYSA/LYSARC, for use of Yescarta in patients with R/R LBCL after one prior line of therapy who were deemed ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), demonstrated that after a short initial deterioration at one-month post-infusion, patients reported longer-term stable or improved quality of life across parameters, after up to 12 months of follow-up.

Findings from 61 patients included in the ALYCANTE study reported a lower symptomatic level, noted by lower HRQoL, at three months compared to baseline, with a clinically significant difference for pain (mean=11.9 [95% CI, 5.4-18.4] at three months vs. 25.1 [95% CI, 17.7-32.6] at baseline), emotional impact (mean=12.9 [95% CI, 8.6-17.2] vs. 23.8 [95% CI, 17.9-29.6]) and worries/fears about health and functioning (mean=22.1 [95% CI, 16.8-27.3] vs. 33.0 [95% CI, 27.2-38.8]).

At three months post Yescarta infusion, 45% of patients presented a stable global health condition and 73% stable physical functioning. In the longer-term, at 12 months post-infusion, patients reported stable states, with clinically and statistically significant improvement in 4/22 HRQoL measures. Analyses confirmed findings observed over time for global health status, physical functioning and visual analogue scale (VAS, common valuation method to provide a single-index measure of HRQoL) were consistent between both the ALYCANTE and pivotal ZUMA-7 study.

“ALYCANTE is the first study to assess axi-cel as second-line therapy in transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma patients, with previous study findings confirming its efficacy in this patient population,” said Prof. Roch Houot, Head of Haematology Department, University Hospital of Rennes, France and coordinator of the ALYCANTE study. “This current study shows that, in this frail and elderly population, axi-cel not only increased the quantity of life but also improved the quality of life which was comparable to that of the transplant-eligible patients, and allowed recovery of a fatigue score close to the general French population.”

About LBCL

Globally, LBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma . In the United States, more than 18,000 people are diagnosed with LBCL each year. About 30-40% of patients with LBCL will need second-line treatment, as their cancer will either relapse (return) or become refractory (not respond) to initial treatment.

About ALYCANTE study

ALYCANTE (NCT04531046) is a phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Yescarta in patients with R/R LBCL after one prior line of therapy who were deemed ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT, sponsored by the LYSA/LYSARC collaborative group. The primary endpoint was the complete metabolic response at three months from Yescarta infusion. The study was funded by Kite, a Gilead Company, and carried out with Yescarta manufactured by Kite.

About ZUMA-7 Study

Based on the primary efficacy endpoint results of ZUMA-7, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved Yescarta as initial treatment of R/R LBCL in April 2022. The EU granted approval in October 2022, followed by approvals in several other countries such as: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan and Switzerland.

ZUMA-7 is a randomized, open-label, global, multicenter, Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Yescarta versus standard of care (SOC) for second-line therapy in adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL within 12 months of first-line therapy. The SOC for initial treatment of R/R LBCL has been a multi-step process involving platinum-based salvage combination chemotherapy regimen, and for responders, HDT and ASCT. In the study, 359 patients in 77 centers around the world were randomized (1:1) to receive a single infusion of Yescarta or SOC second-line treatment. The primary endpoint was EFS as determined by blinded central review and defined as the time from randomization to the earliest date of disease progression per Lugano Classification, commencement of new lymphoma therapy, or death from any cause. Key secondary endpoints include objective response rate and OS. Additional secondary endpoints included patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and safety. Per hierarchical testing of primary and key secondary endpoints and group sequential testing of OS, an interim analysis of OS occurred at the time of the primary EFS.

About Yescarta

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.

YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:

• Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
• Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
  
  Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

• Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).

U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BOXED WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES and SECONDARY HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients receiving YESCARTA. Do not administer YESCARTA to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
• Neurologic toxicities, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients receiving YESCARTA, including concurrently with CRS or after CRS resolution. Monitor for neurologic toxicities after treatment with YESCARTA. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids, as needed.
• T cell malignancies have occurred following treatment of hematologic malignancies with BCMA- and CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapies, including YESCARTA.
• YESCARTA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the YESCARTA and TECARTUS REMS Program.

CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME (CRS)

CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with YESCARTA. CRS occurred in 90% (379/422) of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) receiving YESCARTA, including ≥ Grade 3 (Lee grading system1) CRS in 9%. CRS occurred in 93% (256/276) of patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including ≥ Grade 3 CRS in 9%. Among patients with LBCL who died after receiving YESCARTA, four had ongoing CRS events at the time of death. For patients with LBCL in ZUMA-1, the median time to onset of CRS was 2 days following infusion (range: 1 to 12 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 2 to 58 days). For patients with LBCL in ZUMA-7, the median time to onset of CRS was 3 days following infusion (range: 1 to 10 days) and the median duration was 7 days (range: 2 to 43 days).

CRS occurred in 84% (123/146) of patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) in ZUMA-5, including ≥ Grade 3 CRS in 8%. Among patients with iNHL who died after receiving YESCARTA, one patient had an ongoing CRS event at the time of death. The median time to onset of CRS was 4 days (range: 1 to 20 days) and the median duration was 6 days (range: 1 to 27 days) for patients with iNHL.

Key manifestations of CRS (≥ 10%) in all patients combined included fever (85%), hypotension (40%), tachycardia (32%), chills (22%), hypoxia (20%), headache (15%), and fatigue (12%). Serious events that may be associated with CRS include, cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia), renal insufficiency, cardiac failure, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, capillary leak syndrome, multi-organ failure, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS).

The impact of tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids on the incidence and severity of CRS was assessed in two subsequent cohorts of LBCL patients in ZUMA-1. Among patients who received tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids for ongoing Grade 1 events. CRS occurred in 93% (38/41), including 2% (1/41) with Grade 3 CRS; no patients experienced a Grade 4 or 5 event. The median time to onset of CRS was 2 days (range: 1 to 8 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 2 to 16 days).

Prophylactic treatment with corticosteroids was administered to a cohort of 39 patients for 3 days beginning on the day of infusion of YESCARTA. Thirty-one of the 39 patients (79%) developed CRS at which point the patients were managed with tocilizumab and/or therapeutic doses of corticosteroids with no patients developing Grade 3 or higher CRS. The median time to onset of CRS was 5 days (range: 1 to 15 days) and the median duration of CRS was 4 days (range: 1 to 10 days). Although there is no known mechanistic explanation, consider the risk and benefits of prophylactic corticosteroids in the context of pre-existing comorbidities for the individual patient and the potential for the risk of Grade 4 and prolonged neurologic toxicities.

Ensure that 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of YESCARTA. Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days at the certified healthcare facility following infusion for signs and symptoms of CRS. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS for 4 weeks after infusion. Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time. At the first sign of CRS, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab, or tocilizumab and corticosteroids as indicated.

NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES

Neurologic toxicities (including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome) that were fatal or life- threatening occurred. Neurologic toxicities occurred in 78% (330/422) of all patients with NHL receiving YESCARTA, including ≥ Grade 3 in 25%. Neurologic toxicities occurred in 87% (94/108) of patients with LBCL in ZUMA-1, including ≥ Grade 3 in 31% and in 74% (124/168) of patients in ZUMA-7 including ≥ Grade 3 in 25%. The median time to onset was 4 days (range: 1-43 days) and the median duration was 17 days for patients with LBCL in ZUMA-1. The median time to onset for neurologic toxicity was 5 days (range:1- 133 days) and median duration was 15 days in patients with LBCL in ZUMA-7. Neurologic toxicities occurred in 77% (112/146) of patients with iNHL, including ≥ Grade 3 in 21%. The median time to onset was 6 days (range: 1-79 days) and the median duration was 16 days. Ninety-eight percent of all neurologic toxicities in patients with LBCL and 99% of all neurologic toxicities in patients with iNHL occurred within the first 8 weeks of YESCARTA infusion. Neurologic toxicities occurred within the first 7 days of infusion for 87% of affected patients with LBCL and 74% of affected patients with iNHL.

The most common neurologic toxicities (≥ 10%) in all patients combined included encephalopathy (50%), headache (43%), tremor (29%), dizziness (21%), aphasia (17%), delirium (15%), and insomnia (10%). Prolonged encephalopathy lasting up to 173 days was noted. Serious events, including aphasia, leukoencephalopathy, dysarthria, lethargy, and seizures occurred. Fatal and serious cases of cerebral edema and encephalopathy, including late-onset encephalopathy, have occurred.

The impact of tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids on the incidence and severity of neurologic toxicities was assessed in 2 subsequent cohorts of LBCL patients in ZUMA-1. Among patients who received corticosteroids at the onset of Grade 1 toxicities, neurologic toxicities occurred in 78% (32/41) and 20% (8/41) had Grade 3 neurologic toxicities; no patients experienced a Grade 4 or 5 event. The median time to onset of neurologic toxicities was 6 days (range: 1-93 days) with a median duration of 8 days (range: 1-144 days). Prophylactic treatment with corticosteroids was administered to a cohort of 39 patients for 3 days beginning on the day of infusion of YESCARTA. Of those patients, 85% (33/39) developed neurologic toxicities, 8% (3/39) developed Grade 3, and 5% (2/39) developed Grade 4 neurologic toxicities. The median time to onset of neurologic toxicities was 6 days (range: 1-274 days) with a median duration of 12 days (range: 1-107 days). Prophylactic corticosteroids for management of CRS and neurologic toxicities may result in higher grade of neurologic toxicities or prolongation of neurologic toxicities, delay the onset and decrease the duration of CRS.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicities at least daily for 7 days at the certified healthcare facility, and for 4 weeks thereafter, and treat promptly.

REMS

Because of the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, YESCARTA is available only through a restricted program called the YESCARTA and TECARTUS REMS Program which requires that: Healthcare facilities that dispense and administer YESCARTA must be enrolled and comply with the REMS requirements and must have on-site, immediate access to a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab for each patient for infusion within 2 hours after YESCARTA infusion, if needed for treatment of CRS. Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that healthcare providers who prescribe, dispense, or administer YESCARTA are trained about the management of CRS and neurologic toxicities. Further information is available at www.YescartaTecartusREMS.com or 1-844-454-KITE (5483).

HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS

Allergic reactions, including serious hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis, may occur with the infusion of YESCARTA.

SERIOUS INFECTIONS

Severe or life-threatening infections occurred. Infections (all grades) occurred in 45% of patients with NHL. Grade 3 or higher infections occurred in 17% of patients, including ≥ Grade 3 or higher infections with an unspecified pathogen in 12%, bacterial infections in 5%, viral infections in 3%, and fungal infections in 1%. YESCARTA should not be administered to patients with clinically significant active systemic infections. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after infusion and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic antimicrobials according to local guidelines.

Febrile neutropenia was observed in 36% of all patients with NHL and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care as medically indicated.

In immunosuppressed patients, including those who have received YESCARTA, life-threatening and fatal opportunistic infections including disseminated fungal infections (e.g., candida sepsis and aspergillus infections) and viral reactivation (e.g., human herpes virus-6 [HHV-6] encephalitis and JC virus progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy [PML]) have been reported. The possibility of HHV-6 encephalitis and PML should be considered in immunosuppressed patients with neurologic events and appropriate diagnostic evaluations should be performed. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against B cells, including YESCARTA. Perform screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.

PROLONGED CYTOPENIAS

Patients may exhibit cytopenias for several weeks following lymphodepleting chemotherapy and YESCARTA infusion. ≥ Grade 3 cytopenias not resolved by Day 30 following YESCARTA infusion occurred in 39% of all patients with NHL and included neutropenia (33%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (8%). Monitor blood counts after infusion.

HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA

B-cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia can occur. Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse reaction in 14% of all patients with NHL. Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment and manage using infection precautions, antibiotic prophylaxis, and immunoglobulin replacement. The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following YESCARTA treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during YESCARTA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment.

SECONDARY MALIGNANCIES

Patients treated with YESCARTA may develop secondary malignancies. T cell malignancies have occurred following treatment of hematologic malignancies with BCMA- and CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapies, including YESCARTA. Mature T cell malignancies, including CAR-positive tumors, may present as soon as weeks following infusion, and may include fatal outcomes.

Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. In the event that a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Kite at 1-844-454-KITE (5483) to obtain instructions on patient samples to collect for testing.

EFFECTS ON ABILITY TO DRIVE AND USE MACHINES

Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status or seizures, patients are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following YESCARTA infusion. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, during this initial period.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common non-laboratory adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) in patients with LBCL in ZUMA-7 included fever, CRS, fatigue, hypotension, encephalopathy, tachycardia, diarrhea, headache, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, febrile neutropenia, chills, cough, infection with unspecified pathogen, dizziness, tremor, decreased appetite, edema, hypoxia, abdominal pain, aphasia, constipation, and vomiting.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) in patients with LBCL in ZUMA-1 included CRS, fever, hypotension, encephalopathy, tachycardia, fatigue, headache, decreased appetite, chills, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, infections with pathogen unspecified, nausea, hypoxia, tremor, cough, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and cardiac arrhythmias.

The most common non-laboratory adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) in patients with iNHL in ZUMA-5 included fever, CRS, hypotension, encephalopathy, fatigue, headache, infections with pathogen unspecified, tachycardia, febrile neutropenia, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, tremor, chills, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, cough, vomiting, hypoxia, arrhythmia, and dizziness.

About Kite

Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, focused on achieving cures with cell therapy. As the global cell therapy leader, Kite has treated more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company. Kite has the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world, spanning process development, vector manufacturing, clinical trial supply and commercial product manufacturing. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, Calif. Gilead acquired Kite in 2017.

About the LYSA/LYSARC Collaborative Group

LYSA, The Lymphoma Study Association, is a non-profit, internationally leading, academic cooperative group gathering multidisciplinary expertise in lymphoma. Its operational structure, LYSARC, The Lymphoma Academic Research Organization, has all the integrated functions and platforms dedicated to pathology, biology and imaging to conduct clinical studies and real-world registries, as well as exploratory research programs. The LYSA has more than 500 members, researchers and medical experts, with a network of about 90 clinical research centers in France, Belgium and Portugal. The LYSA's missions are to promote clinical research, to improve prevention, care, and treatment of patients and to disseminate knowledge about all types of lymphoma.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the ability of Gilead and Kite to initiate, progress or complete clinical trials within currently anticipated timelines or at all, and the possibility of unfavorable results from ongoing or additional clinical studies, including those involving Yescarta (such as ZUMA-7, ALYCANTE and real-world analysis); uncertainties relating to regulatory applications and related filing and approval timelines, including pending or potential applications for indications currently under evaluation; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These and other risks, uncertainties and other factors are described in detail in Gilead’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead and Kite, and Gilead and Kite assume no obligation and disclaim any intent to update any such forward-looking statements.

Yescarta, Gilead, the Gilead logo, Kite, the Kite logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

For more information on Kite, please visit the company’s website at www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on X (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241208798555/en/

Blair Baumwell, Gilead Media

public_affairs@gilead.com

Jacquie Ross, Investors

investor_relations@gilead.com

Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.

FAQ

What is the overall survival rate for Yescarta in second-line LBCL treatment?

According to the latest real-world evidence presented at ASH, Yescarta (GILD) showed a 71% overall survival rate in second-line treatment for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

What are the main side effects of Yescarta treatment?

The main side effects of Yescarta (GILD) include cytokine release syndrome (CRS), affecting 87% of patients (5% Grade ≥3), and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), affecting 50% of patients (22% Grade ≥3).

What is the complete response rate for Yescarta in LBCL?

The real-world analysis showed that Yescarta (GILD) achieved a 64% complete response rate in patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma.