Romantamig trispecific shows deep, durable myeloma responses, with tocilizumab easing CRS and enabling safer outpatient dosing.
Jeffrey V. Matous, MD, is a hematologist/oncologist and investigator at the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, part of Sarah Cannon Research Institute, where his research focuses on multiple myeloma and novel immunotherapies, including T-cell–redirecting bispecific and trispecific antibodies. He is a lead investigator on the phase 1 study of ramantamig (JNJ-5322) presented at IMS 2026.
Jeffrey V. Matous, MD, of the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses updated results from the phase 1 study of ramantamig (Ram; JNJ-5322)—a trispecific antibody engaging BCMA, GPRC5D, and CD3 simultaneously—at its recommended phase 2 dose in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Among 56 treated patients, the 47 who were naive to prior T-cell–redirecting therapy achieved a 93.6% overall response rate, a 76.6% complete response rate or better, and 100% MRD-negativity among evaluable patients, with an 18-month progression-free survival rate of 84.6%.
Matous walks through why this trial matters beyond its efficacy numbers: an expanded 30-patient outpatient-dosing cohort using prophylactic tocilizumab ahead of the step-up dose, which cut cytokine release syndrome rates from roughly two-thirds without premedication to about 30%—nearly all grade 1. He addresses community concerns about ICANS and GPRC5D-associated cerebellar toxicity (none observed in this cohort), makes the case for moving T-cell engagers into outpatient and community practice settings, and offers practical guidance on infection prophylaxis and treatment-day scheduling as ramantamig moves toward broader use.
