Less than a year after enrolling its first patient, the Horizon One clinical trial already has important wins to celebrate: Not only is it pioneering important research for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, but it’s enrolling a patient population that’s far more representative of the disease than other trials to date.
The Horizon Clinical Trials program, which is run by the MMRF’s Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium® (MMRC®), is innovative by design, starting with the fact that it’s aiming to optimize treatments for patients with significant unmet need. Horizon One is enrolling patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, while the forthcoming Horizon Two trial will enroll high-risk, newly diagnosed patients.
Unlike a traditional clinical trial, Horizon is what’s known as an adaptive platform clinical trial. This unique design allows investigators to test several treatments at the same time and has built-in flexibility to add or remove therapies in real time—all with the goal of generating data and insights at an accelerated pace.
Speed is especially important for the patients in Horizon One. While there are currently more than 15 FDA-approved drugs for the disease, the devastating reality is that most patients will relapse when the disease becomes resistant to a therapy. Others may eventually become refractory (unresponsive) to many kinds of treatment.
“This patient population needs more options, and they need them fast,” said the MMRF’s Chief Medical Officer Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD. “These patients and their providers still face complex questions about what treatments will be most effective and in what order. Horizon is designed to answer those critical questions that other types of trials can’t.”
Horizon is innovating in another way: by enrolling a study population that is representative of multiple myeloma patients across the United States. In doing so, the Horizon trial can generate new insights and answer questions that impact all patients.
Historically, clinical trials in multiple myeloma have not been as inclusive.
About 20 percent of multiple myeloma patients in the U.S. are Black, but those patients have been significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. In fact, one analysis of multiple myeloma trials conducted over a 13-year period found that only four percent of enrolled patients were Black.
The average age of a multiple myeloma diagnosis is 69, and two-thirds of people diagnosed with the disease are 65 years or older. But studies have found that these patients are also left out of research. One analysis found that patients over the age of 70 are half as likely to enroll in multiple myeloma clinical trials, and another found that nearly two-thirds of trial participants over a 16-year period were under the age of 65, not at all representative of the disease’s true age demographic.
But the MMRC’s Horizon trial is working to reach the broadest myeloma population—and succeeding.
As of now, more than 25 percent of patients enrolled in Horizon One identify as Black. Seventy-one percent of patients are 71 or older, with more than 20 percent between 81 and 90 years old, percentages that are rarely, if ever, seen in other myeloma trials.
Horizon One is also working to enroll across a mix of geographical locations, including in rural areas and at 25 community hospitals and clinics. In fact, the MMRC Horizon One trial recently opened the first-ever myeloma clinical trial in Flint, Michigan.
Meeting these impressive goals has required considerable collaboration that the MMRC—with its vast network of 13 major medical centers and researchers and a leadership team with decades of expertise and industry connections—is uniquely positioned to facilitate.
Working closely with the MMRC’s Health Equity Advisor Dr. Craig Cole of Karmanos Cancer Institute, the Horizon team has surveyed MMRC sites, collecting data and insights about why patients enroll and, importantly, why they don’t. Dr. Cole and the MMRC team have also brought all 13 MMRC sites together to share learnings and wins.
“Clinical trials have been exclusionary to older people, people of color, and people who live far from academic medical centers. We can enroll those populations by knowing why patients don’t consent to the clinical trial,” Dr. Cole said. “We’re making cultural change. The MMRC sites are sharing stories and ideas and thinking outside the box about how we can improve what we’re doing.”
Many of the trial’s wins, like the launch in Flint, came out of simply having intimate, one-on-one conversations out in the community.
“I did a church basement talk in Flint at an African American church, and I gave my awareness talk about what myeloma is,” Dr. Cole said. “And this little old lady said, ‘You need to bring clinical trials to us. I don’t want to hear about myeloma and all your fancy drugs that you give in Detroit.’ I took it back to the MMRC and said, ‘A little old lady told me to bring a clinical trial to Flint, and I think we really need to do that.’ And the MMRC leadership made that happen. Now, that little old lady can go down the street, get her bispecific, go home, and hang out with her grandchildren.”
Understanding that cures don’t come out of silos, the MMRF and MMRC have a long history of making their learnings and data available to the wider multiple myeloma field. Looking forward, the Horizon trial investigators plan to share their experiences and findings for other researchers, pharma, academic medicine, and others to learn from.
“We’re so proud to conduct trials like Horizon that will help us better understand the disease across a representative population and regardless of where someone lives,” said MMRF’s Senior Vice President of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs Katie Wozniak. “That’s how we’ll improve care and find cures for everyone diagnosed with multiple myeloma.”
The MMRF is excited to share that the FDA has approved Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) combinations for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed and have received at least two prior lines of treatment. The announcement was eagerly anticipated, especially after the FDA took some time to weigh the data presented at July’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC).
This is encouraging news for our community. As an IV infusion like Sarclisa or Kyprolis, Blenrep provides an additional off‑the‑shelf treatment option that can help more people access care from their doctor’s office or cancer center. Also, unlike CAR T or bispecific therapy, patients can begin treatment without hospitalization needed to manage certain side effects like CRS or ICANS.
What to Expect with Blenrep
Clinical trial data showed how safe and effective Blenrep (in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone) was for patients compared to Darzalex, Velcade, and dexamethasone. Here were the highlights:
Next Steps for Patients
Now that Blenrep is available, it is important to have a conversation with your care team if this treatment could be a viable option for you. Here are some questions to ask that help start the discussion:
In addition to your care team, the MMRF Patient Navigation Center can offer support in answering these questions and give one‑on‑one guidance tailored for you. The MMRF Education Hub also offers additional materials to help better understand treatment options and navigate you along your myeloma journey.
In late 2024, the MMRF launched the Horizon Clinical Trials Program through the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium® (MMRC), a collaborative research network of leading myeloma treatment centers. Horizon uses an innovative trial design called an adaptive platform, which makes it possible to test multiple therapies at the same time to determine the best combination, sequence, and duration of treatment to get the best outcomes for patients. The adaptive design also allows researchers to work together and move faster than they can in a traditional clinical trial model.
For the first trial within the Horizon program (Horizon One), we are enrolling patients with relapsed and refractory myeloma across 13 sites to study dosing approaches with Tecvayli® (teclistamab), a bispecific antibody treatment. The second platform trial of the program, Horizon Two, is scheduled to launch soon and enroll high-risk, newly diagnosed patients.
Horizon Two will reimagine how we treat high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. We spoke with Dr. Sham Mailankody of Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center about what patients can expect — and why this moment marks a turning point in myeloma research.
Dr. Sham Mailankody, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center
Over the past 25 years, treatments for multiple myeloma have improved a lot, especially for patients with what we call “standard-risk” disease. But people with high-risk myeloma haven’t seen those same benefits. About 1 in 4 newly diagnosed patients fall into this high-risk category, and unfortunately, these patients either do not respond to their initial therapy, or relapse within two years — whereas most patients are in remission for at least four or five years after their first therapy.
Horizon Two is a national clinical trial created specifically for people who are newly diagnosed with high-risk myeloma. In the past, this group was often left out of research. The trial is designed to be flexible and patient-friendly. It allows multiple treatment options to be tested at once, and new ones can be added over time. Even patients who have already started their first cycle of treatment may still qualify. This approach helps us learn faster and include more people in the process.
We’re looking at advanced treatments called immunotherapies — including CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies. These therapies have already worked well for patients with advanced or relapsed myeloma. Now we’re testing whether using them earlier, right after diagnosis, might lead to stronger and longer-lasting responses.
Absolutely. Some treatment arms in the trial will explore time-limited therapy, meaning patients could stop treatment after a certain amount of time if they’re doing well. We’re also collecting direct feedback from patients and advocates to guide future parts of the study. Better treatment doesn’t just mean controlling the disease — it means improving how patients feel and live.
Horizon Two is available at many locations across the country — not just at large academic hospitals, but also at regional and community centers that work closely with myeloma experts. For example, patients don’t have to travel to Manhattan to take part in the trial at MSK; there may be a site closer to home. This setup helps reduce travel time and costs, making it easier for people, including those in rural or underserved areas, to access cutting-edge research and care.
It’s absolutely necessary. Horizon Two is the result of years of collaboration through the MMRF and MMRC. It brings together top cancer centers, patient advocates, drug companies, and government regulators. Everyone plays a role: from designing the trial to enrolling patients. This kind of teamwork is what makes real progress possible.
Our biggest goal is to close the gap in outcomes between high-risk and standard-risk patients. If we can do that, we may one day no longer need the term “high-risk.” That would be a huge step forward for more effective treatments and for a more equitable future for everyone living with myeloma.
Between declining government funding for research and a difficult drug development arena marked by higher costs, greater risk, and more competition for less capital, multiple myeloma is at a crossroads. Cures are within reach, but to realize them, the community needs to confront these challenges head-on—something the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is uniquely poised to do.
One of the most important ways we’ll push the field forward now is through the Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF), our venture philanthropy arm. Over the last six years, the MIF has helped advance six treatments to clinical trials, invested $23 million in 20 companies, and generated a two-to-fourfold return on its initial investment in three of those companies.
Now, the MIF is scaling up when myeloma needs it most and will soon become a self-sustaining, evergreen fund— reinvesting all the returns it generates into new companies and ideas.
The MIF is the first and only mission-driven philanthropic venture fund focused on accelerating a cure for multiple myeloma. The MIF provides biotechnology companies with financial and strategic support, access to data, and connections to investors, researchers, and pharma representatives.
Not only that, but the MIF leverages the MMRF’s vast expertise and its more than 25 years at the forefront of myeloma research.
“We join the boards of many of these companies and play an important advisory role,” said MIF Managing Director Stephanie Oestreich, PhD, MPA.
The companies the MIF invests in are developing some of the most transformative potential treatments in myeloma—with a special focus on relapsed patients who have run out of options.
“An estimated 70 percent of new therapeutic targets are being developed by venture-backed companies, and only 30 percent are with pharma,” Oestreich said. “Venture capital like the kind the MIF provides is critical to move tomorrow’s innovations forward.”
MIF investments provide funding at a pivotal point in the drug development process, when early breakthroughs are at risk of stalling because they lack funding or direction. By stepping in at this phase, the MIF helps bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
“At a time when early-stage funding is harder to secure than ever, the MIF’s early support is essential—helping companies attract more investors and ensure that the best new ideas in myeloma don’t get left behind,” the MMRF’s President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Andreini said.
MIF-backed companies are working on some of the most exciting new technologies and developments today: next-generation CAR T-cell designs and treatments (such as in vivo CAR T, which engineer T-cells in a patient’s body instead of a lab), natural killer cell–directed therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (which have revolutionized treatment of other cancers), and more. Our portfolio also includes companies investigating novel ways to improve patients’ immune response to better recognize, attack, and kill myeloma cells.
The companies the MIF invests in are also highly regarded. In fact, in September, two such companies—Umoja and Stylus Medicine—made Endpoints’ annual list of the 11 most exciting biotech startups of 2025. Endpoints is one of the most prestigious news outlets covering biopharma, and its annual Endpoints 11 list is highly anticipated in the field—representing “the best and the brightest in biotech.”
Andrew Scharenberg, MD, the co-founder and CEO of Umoja Biopharma, which the MIF invested in at the start of 2025, said that having the backing of the MIF and MMRF is crucial in more ways than one.
“Because the MIF and MMRF are trusted by doctors and scientists, their support helps open doors,” he said. “When others see that the MIF believes in what we’re doing, it gives them confidence that our work is promising and based on solid science. That support helps us move faster and bring new treatments to patients sooner.”
The final day of IMS 2025 brought a powerful close to the meeting, underscoring how far the field has come in advancing personalized care for myeloma patients. From promising new drugs to smarter ways of tailoring treatment using biomarkers, today’s presentations made it clear: The future of myeloma therapy is not just about more options—it’s about better-matched options.
Researchers are now focusing on how to deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, using tools like genetic profiling and immune markers to guide decisions.
Read on for what stood out to us.
Day four showcased a pipeline of innovative treatments poised to transform myeloma care, from precision-targeted therapies that could redefine treatment standards to enhanced delivery methods that are more convenient for patients.
As doctors work to improve myeloma treatments, researchers are studying whether using more than one treatment for maintenance therapy can help lower the chance of relapse. In a phase 3 study, patients who took a combination of Darzalex and Revlimid for two years did much better at keeping myeloma to very low, almost undetectable levels, compared to patients who took Revlimid alone. Just as important, the side effects were mild and very similar to what patients usually experience with Revlimid by itself. As discussed on day 3, these studies are especially important for patients who may have a higher risk of their disease returning quickly.
During the last day of IMS, we also heard updates on the growing role of biomarkers—biological signs in the body that help doctors better understand each patient’s type of myeloma. These discoveries build on earlier research from the MMRF’s CoMMpassSM study, which is one of the most important studies ever conducted to better understand new targets for drug development and define which patients are more likely to have aggressive disease. Researchers across the field continue to leverage CoMMpass data.
These updates reflect a powerful shift in how myeloma is being treated—from relying solely on standard drug regimens to using a deeper understanding of each patient’s unique disease to guide care. As more targeted therapies and biomarker-driven tools move closer to routine use, the path forward looks increasingly personalized, offering new hope for better outcomes and a higher quality of life for patients at every stage of their journey.
Day three of IMS 2025 brought into focus three transformative trends reshaping multiple myeloma care: emerging effective strategies for early relapse, making powerful treatments more accessible to patients, and bringing later-line therapies to earlier stages of treatment.
Here, the MMRF recaps what stood out from today’s sessions.
The first plenary session of the day brought several myeloma experts together to outline key considerations for managing early relapse.
These discussions signal a future where earlier intervention, innovative therapies, and collaborative decision-making can significantly improve outcomes for patients facing relapse.
Bispecific antibody therapies are typically given in hospital settings because they come with the risk of complications like cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a common, flu-like side effect of T cell-engaging treatments that can cause fevers, chills, and low blood pressure. Because of this, access to these powerful treatments is more limited.
We were excited to hear data at IMS showing that bispecific antibody therapies can safely be given in the community setting, without requiring a hospital stay, enabling more patients to greater access.
With numerous promising treatments now available for multiple myeloma, determining the optimal timing and sequence of therapies has become increasingly important to improve outcomes and patients’ quality of life. This has been a research focus at the MMRF through our innovative Horizon Clinical Trials Program conducted in collaboration with 14 leading cancer centers.
We were excited to hear and share research updates from our colleagues who are similarly examining the potential of giving treatments to newly diagnosed patients or patients with precursor disease that have been shown to be highly effective in relapsed/refractory patients.
We conclude by sharing exciting updates on arlo-cel, a type of CAR T-cell therapy that targets GPRC5D. We shared promising results from a phase 1 study on the first day of IMS. Today, researchers presented data from a second study that showed similarly encouraging results. In this phase 1 study of 31 relapsed/refractory patients who had received one to three prior lines of therapy, 96% responded to arlo-cel. Side effects—including CRS, loss of taste, and nerve-related symptoms—were common but mostly mild and resolved on their own.
Day three’s presentations demonstrate how myeloma care is evolving to become more accessible and strategically timed—bringing us closer to more personalized strategies that maximize both effectiveness and patients’ quality of life.
Saturday marks the final day of the IMS 2025 meeting. Stay tuned for highlights from the concluding sessions.
MMRF continues to drive the critical global research collaborations that lead to scientific breakthroughs and improved patient outcomes
Norwalk, Conn., September 20, 2025 – Today, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation® (MMRF) announced that data generated from several MMRF initiatives were presented at the prestigious 22nd International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting. The MMRF team presented five posters, while new findings from its Immune Atlas and CoMMpass℠ programs underpinned 18 additional presentations, reflecting the organization’s unique ability to drive key discoveries, collaborative research, and innovative clinical trials in multiple myeloma.
“Year after year, the MMRF leads research that accelerates the pace of discovery and directly translates into better treatments for patients with multiple myeloma,” said MMRF Chief Scientific Officer George Mulligan, PhD. “Insights from MMRF-led programs are powered by our large clinical and genomic datasets as well as our innovative clinical trial platforms. These demonstrate how our collaborative, data-driven approach is fueling discoveries to deepen our understanding of multiple myeloma.”
The novel MMRF-led research presented at IMS 2025 demonstrates the impact of the foundation’s flagship programs and illustrates how the MMRF’s approach to integrating research within trials addresses key questions that other trials cannot. Among the highlights:
In addition, the MMRF presented two reports highlighting the positive impact of the organization’s patient education and navigation programs. These initiatives empower people diagnosed with multiple myeloma to optimize their care, better communicate with their healthcare teams, and improve their outcomes.
Abstracts Presented by MMRF
Title: Daratumumab-based Quadruplet Therapy in Functional High-risk Relapse/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients Induces Changes Associated with CD8 T Cell Activation and Expansion in the Immune Microenvironment
Abstract: PA-204
Title: CoMMpass Explorer: An Interactive Platform to Explore Clinico-Genomic Data from Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients from the CoMMpass Observational Trial
Abstract: PA-205
Title: Exploration of Tumor Immune Gene Expression to Stratify Progression Risk in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients from CoMMpass With 1q Cytogenetic Abnormality
Abstract: PA-230
Title: Assessing Positive Behavioral Change in Myeloma Care: An MMRF Longitudinal Study
Abstract: PA-111
Title: Navigating Myeloma: Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes from a Patient-Centered Navigation Resource
Abstract: PA-112
Abstracts on MMRF Immune Atlas Program
Title: Longitudinal Multi-Omic Profiling Uncovers Immune Escape and Predictors of Response in Multiple Myeloma
Abstract: OA-73
Title: Integrating Microenvironment with Tumor Multi-Omic using Unsupervised Machine Learning to Model Heterogeneity Refines Multiple Myeloma Subtypes and Reveals Immune-Based Clusters with Prognostic Impact
Abstract: PA-234
Title: Ancestry-Associated Dysregulation of the Bone Marrow T Cell Compartment in Multiple Myeloma Revealed via scRNA-seq and CyTOF Profiling
Abstract: PA-254
Title: Multi-hit Cytogenetics Risk Events Associated with IFN-I Suppression across TME of NDMM Patients and Poor Outcomes
Abstract: PA-255
Title: Elevated Levels of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Patients Reflect a Highly Proliferative and Genomically Complex Profile
Abstract: PA-231
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that develops in bone marrow. This year, an estimated 35,750 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed—making it the second-most common blood cancer in the U.S.—and 12,590 people will die from the disease. New targeted agents and therapies have resulted in better outcomes, but most multiple myeloma patients eventually relapse.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to our mission is our commitment to advancing access so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has raised over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.
Media Contact:
Adam Silverstein, Scient PR: adam@scientpr.com
Day two of IMS 2025 reinforced a central theme: Innovation in multiple myeloma treatment is expanding at every stage of the patient journey. From new options for newly diagnosed patients to groundbreaking multi-target CAR T therapies for those facing relapsed disease, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while never losing sight of the ultimate goal—delivering safe and effective new treatments to every patient who needs them.
Today’s presentations highlighted both the potential of emerging therapies and the critical importance of understanding their real-world impact on patients’ lives.
Here MMRF highlights the latest developments.
New Treatments for Newly Diagnosed Patients
One recent study looked at Iberdomide combined with two other medicines: Darzalex (an antibody treatment) and dexamethasone (a steroid). This was tested in 77 patients who were unable to have a stem cell transplant. The results were very promising: More than 90% of patients responded to the treatment and nearly 80% of patients had their disease stay under control for at least a year. Only three patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects.
Researchers will continue following these patients to see how long the benefits last and to better understand how well this treatment works over time.
Multi-Target CAR T-Cell Therapies
New CAR T-cell therapies are being designed to attack more than one target on myeloma cells. This may help prevent myeloma from becoming resistant to treatment. Today’s presentations highlighted two unique ways of reaching this goal:
In both studies, side effects were manageable, with no serious long-term neurological problems.
Weighing the Risk/Benefits of Currently Approved CAR T-Cell Therapies
Abecma, also known as ide-cel, and Carvykti, also known as cilta-cel, are the first CAR T-cell therapies approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. They work by targeting a protein called BCMA on myeloma cells. Both therapies continue to draw attention as potent treatment options, though many patients can experience significant side effects from either of them.
Two important studies presented at IMS provided valuable insights for patients and providers weighing CAR T treatment decisions:
Together, these studies reinforce that making the decision to have CAR T-cell therapy requires weighing not only clinical outcomes and safety concerns but also understanding how the therapy can affect patients’ quality of life and long-term well-being.
As we continue our coverage from Toronto, we’re encouraged by the depth of innovation happening across the myeloma research community and the field’s commitment to balancing clinical effectiveness, safety, and the patient experience.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s highlights and more updates from IMS 2025 all meeting long.
This week, the International Myeloma Society (IMS) is hosting its 22nd Annual Meeting—the world’s largest gathering of multiple myeloma researchers and clinicians. The MMRF team is on the ground in Toronto attending scientific sessions, connecting with experts, and bringing you real-time coverage of the latest breakthroughs.
Over the next four days, we’ll highlight the most promising research and key insights shaping the future of myeloma treatment. Much of the science being presented is closely aligned with MMRF’s strategic research priorities and addresses critical unmet needs in patient care, including:
Here’s what captured our attention on day one.
Data from early-phase studies of several new treatments were very encouraging, particularly for groups of patients who have exhausted current treatment options. Here are three with exciting potential:
While the results of these studies are promising, more work is needed to figure out how well they compare to currently approved myeloma treatments.
Patients with high-risk multiple myeloma face a more aggressive and treatment-resistant form of the disease, so they often have a worse prognosis. Research is needed to find and improve effective strategies for newly diagnosed and relapsed patients who fall into this high-risk category.
Several abstracts highlighted encouraging progress in this area. One standout study looked at the combination of Talvey (talquetamab) and Tecvayli (teclistamab) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and extramedullary disease—a group of patients who have myeloma in other organs of the body beyond the bone marrow. Nearly 80% of patients responded to this combination of bispecifics.
Importantly, the combination of Talvey and Tecvayli worked better for patients than either drug by itself. In fact, about twice as many people improved with the combination compared to just one of the treatments.
We are encouraged by these developments and will continue to monitor advancements in this important area of research.
Stay tuned for more daily highlights and expert perspectives from the conference this week.
Several presentations at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meetings introduced new and updated study data in multiple myeloma (MM), along with potentially significant advancements in therapy. Data presented at the meetings included the following:
Data from the CEPHEUS, PERSEUS, and ADVANCE trials confirm daratumumab-based quadruplet regimens as the new frontline standard for NDMM, delivering superior MRD negativity and survival benefits regardless of transplant eligibility.
Isatuximab-based quadruplet regimens significantly deepen MRD negativity in high-risk patients, offering new hope for improved long-term outcomes.
Rather than trying to achieve universal MRD negativity, the MIDAS and PREDATOR trials demonstrate that MRD status informs key treatment decisions—such as whether to proceed with or defer stem cell transplantation or intervene early upon MRD recurrence—enabling more individualized strategies for patients.
Use of elranatamab for TIE NDMM patients highlights the expanding arsenal of next-generation therapies aiming to improve outcomes and personalize care for patients.
In early relapse, belamaf and isatuximab (via subcutaneous administration) demonstrate significant value. Late-relapse patients benefit from advances in bispecific antibodies—linvoseltamab and talquetamab—and CAR T-cell therapies. Notably, long-term data from CARTITUDE-1 on the use of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), now published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, marks a major milestone in long-term outcomes for late-relapse treatment.
First-in-human phase 1 data for two novel trispecific antibodies demonstrated impressive response rates and manageable safety profiles in heavily pretreated RRMM.
One study assessed the independent prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and determined their applicability to clinical practice. Investigators collected data from 2,446 NDMM patients from multiple centers in Europe. High CTC levels (≥1%) were strongly correlated to inferior PFS (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12−1.24, P<0.001). The study showed that CTCs are an independent risk factor in NDMM and that a cutoff in the range of 0.01−0.1% is useful in categorizing progression risk.
Jointly provided by the MMRF and RedMedEd.
Support for this activity has been provided through sponsorships from Legend Biotech USA Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Sanofi and by educational grants from AbbVie Inc. and Janssen Biotech, Inc., administered by Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.
