Activity of CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma with extramedullary involvement.

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMD) is associated with low response rates, short progression-free survival, and poor prognosis. CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies (bsABs) have shown efficacy in relapsed myeloma, but it remains uncertain whether one T cell redirection strategy should be preferred. We retrospectively analyzed 80 patients with EMD not adjacent to the bone treated with ide-cel, cilta-cel, teclistamab, or talquetamab at three academic centers in Germany.

Isatuximab for the treatment of multiple myeloma: current clinical advances and future directions.

Introduction: The addition of the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody isatuximab to standard therapies is transforming the care of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), as previously seen in the relapsed/refractory setting. This is particularly important for patients with NDMM as early treatment with effective, well tolerated therapies may ensure better clinical outcomes.

Areas Covered: Here, we examine recent results from pivotal Phase 3 and 2 clinical trials that demonstrate efficacy and safety of isatuximab across multiple combinations, for both transplant-ineligible and transplant-eligible NDMM patients.

Cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification in newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma in the GMMG-CONCEPT trial.

Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) are clinically relevant side effects during treatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. We investigated the predictive value of cardiac biomarkers for onset of CVAE in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma treated with isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in the GMMG-CONCEPT study (NCT03104842). Patients included in this prospective, multicenter correlative study were eligible if a serum sample before treatment initiation and at ≥ 1 later study time point were available.

Navigating High-Risk and Ultrahigh-Risk Multiple Myeloma: Challenges and Emerging Strategies.

Despite significant improvement in the outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) with novel therapies, there is still an underserved high-risk (HR) population that experiences early disease progression and death. With the median survival crossing 10 years, we defined ultrahigh-risk (uHR)MM as MM leading to death within 24-36 months of diagnosis and HRMM as MM leading to death within 36-60 months. Several features have emerged as markers of uHRMM: the co-occurrence of two or more high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, extramedullary disease, plasma cell leukemia and a high-risk gene expression profiling signature.

Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone for Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Severe Renal Impairment: Results from the Phase 2 GMMG-DANTE Trial.

Renal function impairment (RI) is a common complication in multiple myeloma (MM). However, limited data exist on the safety and efficacy of anti-MM regimens in patients with severe RI, as these patients are frequently excluded from clinical trials. This investigator-initiated multicentric phase II GMMG-DANTE trial evaluated daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (DVd) in relapsed or refractory (r/r) MM patients with severe RI.

Isatuximab, Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of High-Risk Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma.

Purpose: The GMMG-CONCEPT trial investigated isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (Isa-KRd) in transplant-eligible (TE) and transplant-noneligible (TNE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) with exclusively high-risk disease for whom prospective trials are limited, aiming to induce minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity.

Methods: This academic, investigator-initiated, multicenter, phase II trial enrolled patients with high-risk NDMM (HRNDMM) defined by mandatory International Staging System stage II/III combined with del17p, t(4;14), t(14;16), or more than three 1q21 copies as high-risk cytogenetic aberrations (HRCAs). Patients received Isa-KRd induction/consolidation and Isa-KR maintenance.

VTd-PACE and VTd-PACE-like regimens are effective salvage therapies in difficult-to-treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a single-center experience.

Although treatment options for multiple myeloma (MM) are rapidly evolving, there still remain difficult-to-treat situations, especially in relapsed and/or refractory (r/r) disease. When modern therapies are exhausted, or emergency treatment is needed for high tumor burden, classic chemotherapy combination regimens like the VTd-PACE regimen and its modifications (PACE-M) may also be beneficial as bridging to subsequent treatment options. This single-center retrospective analysis aimed to investigate the outcome of VTd-PACE and PACE-M salvage therapy in 31 heavily pretreated r/r MM patients.

Lymphocytopenia and Anti-CD38 Directed Treatment Impact the Serological SARS-CoV-2 Response after Prime Boost Vaccination in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Even though several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have shown high effectiveness in the prevention of COVID-19 in healthy subjects, vaccination response in patients with plasma-cell-related disorders (PCD) remains widely unknown. Here, we report on an analysis describing the serological response after prime-boost SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in PCD patients, as compared to a healthy control group, and on possible influencing factors of serological responses. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of quantitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD Ig.