Teclistamab-cqyv in multiple myeloma

Prognostic Significance of +1q Alterations in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Treated With Daratumumab-, Elotuzumab-, and Carfilzomib-Based Triplet Regimens: A Multicenter Real-World Analysis of 635 Patients

Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) research on the impact of +1q abnormalities in real-world settings is limited. This study evaluated the prognostic and predictive significance of 1q gain [gain(1q)] and amplification [ampl(1q)] in 635 RRMM patients treated with daratumumab-, elotuzumab-, and carfilzomib-based triplet regimens. Patients with +1q abnormalities had lower deep response rates [≥ CR: 9.4% for gain(1q), 11.6% for ampl(1q)] versus 20.2% in +1q-negative patients. Multivariable ordinal logistic analysis showed significantly lower odds of achieving ≥ CR in patients with gain(1q) (OR = 0.49, p < 0.001) or ampl(1q) (OR = 0.58, p = 0.0037). Progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in +1q-negative patients (28 months) compared to those with gain(1q) (8 months) or ampl(1q) (7.4 months). Multivariable models identified gain(1q) (HR = 1.9, p < 0.001) and ampl(1q) (HR = 2.2, p < 0.001) as independent negative prognostic factors alongside del17p, t(4;14), creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min, and ISS Stages II and III. Similarly, overall survival (OS) was reduced for patients with gain(1q) (25 months) and ampl(1q) (19.5 months) versus 42.2 months in +1q-negative patients. Multivariable analysis showed gain(1q) (HR = 1.6, p = 0.007) and ampl(1q) (HR = 2.0, p = 0.002) as independent predictors of increased mortality. Ancillary +1q abnormalities associated with high-risk cytogenetic changes were linked to both shorter PFS and OS. Stratification into no-hit, single-hit, double-hit, and triple-hit groups showed significant survival differences, emphasizing the impact of cumulative cytogenetic abnormalities on outcomes. In conclusion, +1q abnormalities significantly impact prognosis in RRMM and should be considered in risk stratification. The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive cytogenetic profiling in real-world settings and highlights the need for personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Efficacy and Prognostic Indicators of Isatuximab, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone (IsaPd) in Daratumumab-Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Multicenter Real-World Study

This multicenter real-world analysis evaluated the efficacy of isatuximab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (IsaPd) in 51 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who were refractory to daratumumab (Dara-R). The majority were under 70 years old (60.8%), predominantly female (56.9%), and heavily pretreated, with 74.5% being triple-class refractory (TCR); 32.1% of the 28 patients with cytogenetic data had high-risk abnormalities. The overall response rate (ORR) was 56.9%, including 3 patients with stringent complete response (sCR), 4 with CR, and 7 with very good partial response (VGPR). Neither age, number of prior therapies, TCR status, nor time from Dara refractoriness to IsaPd initiation significantly affected response rates. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, with a 12-month PFS probability of 30.6%. Baseline hemoglobin (Hb) levels were a key predictor of PFS: patients with Hb < 11.8 g/L had a 3.5-fold increased risk of progression, with a median PFS of 4.6 months compared to 22 months in those with higher Hb. Median overall survival (OS) was 21.0 months, with a 12-month OS probability of 63.4%. Lower Hb levels (< 11 g/L) were associated with a tenfold increased risk of mortality. Among the 28 patients who underwent FISH analysis, while no significant difference in mortality risk was observed, those with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities exhibited a nearly tenfold increased risk of disease progression. These results suggest that IsaPd offers a meaningful option for Dara-R patients, with Hb levels serving as a critical predictor of both PFS and OS. However, PFS remains modest, underscoring the need for novel combination therapies.

Talquetamab in Multiple Myeloma: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions

Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains a challenging condition despite advances in immunotherapies. Novel bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), including talquetamab, have shown promising efficacy in heavily pretreated patients, even those with triple- and penta-refractory disease. Talquetamab, recently approved by the FDA and EMA, is indicated for patients who have progressed after at least three or four prior lines of therapy (LOTs). Administered following a step-up dosing phase to manage cytokine release syndrome (CRS), talquetamab demonstrated a high overall response rate (ORR) of approximately 70%, including in patients previously treated with T-cell redirecting therapies. Its safety profile is consistent with other BsAbs, with hematologic adverse events such as anemia and neutropenia commonly reported, alongside unique on-target off-tumor toxicities like dysgeusia and skin-related events. Infections were less frequent compared to other BsAbs. The optimal sequencing of talquetamab and other therapies, including CAR-T cell treatments, remains an area of active research, as resistance to anti-BCMA therapies presents ongoing clinical challenges. Current trials are exploring the use of talquetamab in combination therapies, as well as therapeutic strategies post-treating progression. The real-world data further support talquetamab's efficacy, making it a valuable addition to the RRMM treatment landscape.

A Phase 1/2 study of teclistamab, a humanized BCMA × CD3 bispecific Ab in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory MM

We characterized the safety and efficacy of the bispecific antibody teclistamab in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients were pretreated with a proteasome inhibitor (PI), immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The primary endpoint was frequency and type of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in phase 1, and overall response rate (ORR; ≥ partial response [PR]) in phase 2. In phase 1, 14 patients received once-weekly (QW) subcutaneous teclistamab (0.72 mg/kg [n = 5]; 1.5 mg/kg [n = 5]; 3 mg/kg [n = 4]). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. As of April 2024, 26 phase-2 patients received the recommended phase-2 dose (QW) (RP2D: 1.5 mg/kg) of teclistamab. Biweekly (Q2W) dosing was allowed after maintaining response for ≥ 6 months. At a median follow-up of 14.32 months, ORR was 76.9% (≥ very good PR: 76.9%; ≥ complete response: 65.4%). Median duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival were not reached. Common TEAEs included CRS (grade ≤ 2), neutropenia, and infections. No patient had immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) and dose reductions. Teclistamab demonstrated deep and durable responses in Japanese patients with RRMM, consistent with the global pivotal MajesTEC-1 study, supporting the potential for a new standard of care for Japanese RRMM patients.

Elotuzumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Extended follow-up of a multicenter, retrospective real-world experience with 321 cases outside of controlled clinical trials

The ELOQUENT-3 trial demonstrated the superiority of the combination of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (EloPd) in terms of efficacy and safety, compared to Pd in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), who had received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. The present study is an 18-month follow-up update of a previously published Italian real-life RRMM cohort of patients treated with EloPd. This revised analysis entered 319 RRMM patients accrued in 41 Italian centers. After a median follow-up of 17.7 months, 213 patients (66.4%) experienced disease progression or died. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 7.5 and 19.2 months, respectively. The updated multivariate analysis showed a significant reduction of PFS benefit magnitude both in advanced International Staging System (ISS) (II and III) stages and previous exposure to daratumumab cases. Instead, advanced ISS (II and III) stages and more than 2 previous lines of therapy maintained an independent prognostic impact on OS. Major adverse events included grade three-fourths neutropenia (24.9%), anemia (13.4%), lymphocytopenia (15.5%), and thrombocytopenia (10.7%), while infection rates and pneumonia were 19.3% and 8.7%, respectively. A slight increase in the incidence of neutropenia and lymphocytopenia was registered with longer follow-up. In conclusion, our real-world study still confirms that EloPd is a safe and possible therapeutic choice for RRMM. Nevertheless, novel strategies are desirable for those patients exposed to daratumumab.

Applied Cardio-Oncology in Hematological Malignancies: A Narrative Review

Applied cardio-oncology in hematological malignancies refers to the integration of cardiovascular care and management for patients with blood cancer, particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Hematological cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity deals with the most common cardiovascular complications of conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies, bispecific antibodies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This narrative review focuses on hematological cancer-therapy-related cardiotoxicity's definition, risk stratification, multimodality imaging, and use of cardiac biomarkers to detect clinical and/or subclinical myocardial dysfunction and electrical instability. Moreover, the most common cardiotoxic profiles of the main drugs and/or therapeutic interventions in patients with hematological malignancies are described thoroughly.

Structure and function of therapeutic antibodies approved by the US FDA in 2023

In calendar year 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approved a total of 55 new molecular entities, of which 12 were in the class of therapeutic antibodies. Besides antibody protein drugs, the US FDA also approved another five non-antibody protein drugs, making the broader class of protein drugs about 31% of the total approved drugs. Among the 12 therapeutic antibodies approved by the US FDA, 8 were relatively standard IgG formats, 3 were bivalent, bispecific antibodies and 1 was a trivalent, bispecific antibody. In 2023, no new antibody-drug conjugates, immunocytokines or chimeric antigen receptor-T cells were approved. Of the approved antibodies, two targeted programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) for orphan indications, two targeted CD20 for diffuse large B cell lymphoma, two targeted different receptors (B-cell maturation antigen [BCMA] and G-coupled protein receptor class C, group 5, member D [GPRC5D]) for treatment of multiple myeloma, and one each that targeted amyloid-β protofibrils for Alzheimer's disease, neonatal Fc receptor alpha-chain for myasthenia gravis, complement factor C5 for CD55 deficiency with hyper-activation of complement, angiopathic thrombosis and severe protein-losing enteropathy disease, interleukin (IL)-23p19 for severely active ulcerative colitis, IL-17A-F for plaque psoriasis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-F protein for season-long RSV prophylaxis in infants.