Multiple Myeloma

Managing bispecific antibodies requires collaboration and meticulous protocols.

The international cohort study evaluated the safety, efficacy of BCMA-targeting agents ciltacabtagene autoleucel and idecabtagene vicleucel.

The combination yields promising results but was associated with high incidence of toxicity and infection.

The analysis shows patients achieved deep and durable responses despite being ineligible for the CARTITUDE-1 trial.

Patients with relapsed, refractory disease achieved deep, durable responses with equecabtagene autoleucel.

Panelists discuss how key recommendations for optimizing bispecific therapy care focus on establishing robust communication protocols between academic and community centers while ensuring community centers develop comprehensive infrastructure including staff training, emergency protocols, and care coordination pathways.

Panelists discuss understanding the comparative advantages, decision-making factors, infrastructure requirements, and partnership models for administering bispecific antibodies in community vs academic settings, with particular focus on patient care logistics and referral pathways.

Yi Lin, MD, PhD, highlights the importance of achieving MRD negativity in multiple myeloma, CAR T-cell therapy outcomes, and the critical role of pharmacists in patient care.

Here is an updated overview of the role of BCMA-directed therapies following the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting and EHA Congress.

The treatment landscape for multiple myeloma continues to evolve.

Panelists discuss the guidance on managing REMS program compliance for bispecific therapies and strategies for educating non-oncology health care providers about cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) toxicities.

Panelists discuss insights on infection prevention protocols and electronic health record (EHR)–based toxicity management strategies for patients receiving bispecific antibody therapies in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Panelists discuss how clinical management of CAR T-cell therapy–associated toxicities focuses primarily on early recognition and prompt intervention with tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), following established grading systems and treatment algorithms.

Panelists discuss understanding institutional protocols for managing cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) prophylaxis in bispecific antibody therapy, along with criteria for safely selecting patients for outpatient step-up dosing.

Ira Zackon, MD, explains where future research lies regarding the implementation of bispecific antibodies in community oncology settings.

The phase 3 CEPHEUS trial demonstrated that adding daratumumab (DARA) to the VRd regimen significantly improves minimal residual disease negativity, progression-free survival, and overall response in transplant-ineligible or transplant deferred patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, establishing a new standard of care.

The GMMG-HD7 trial evaluated the addition of isatuximab to standard induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation, demonstrating significantly higher rates of minimal residual disease negativity and improved progression-free survival (PFS).

The AQUILA study demonstrates that early treatment with daratumumab significantly delays progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma, improves survival outcomes, and offers a well-tolerated alternative to traditional observation.

The therapy has similar benefits for both older and younger patients with multiple myeloma.

AI-powered drug response prediction technology is revolutionizing veterinary and human oncology by enabling personalized treatment plans through live cell testing, machine learning models, and data-driven precision medicine approaches.

Panelists discuss how bispecific T-cell–engaging therapies targeting BCMA, GPRC5D, and FcRH5 have emerged as novel immunotherapeutic approaches showing meaningful clinical activity for patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple

Belantamab mafodotin demonstrated benefits in overall survival in the phase 3 DREAMM-7 trial.

The panel discussion concludes with final thoughts on the future landscape of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Outpatient models are emerging as feasible alternatives to traditional inpatient care, offering potential benefits such as reduced hospitalization, improved social well-being, and cost savings.

Panelists discuss how pharmacists can address remaining unmet needs and challenges in optimizing frontline therapy for patients with transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), including areas such as managing complex drug interactions, improving medication adherence, mitigating treatment-related toxicities, streamlining transitions of care, and enhancing patient education and support throughout the treatment journey.