Boston – In a first-of-its-kind randomized trial, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that teclistamab may significantly improve outcomes for patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor condition that can progress to active cancer. In the phase 2 ImmunoPRISM trial, the BCMA-targeted bispecific antibody outperformed lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, pointing to the potential value of using immune-based therapy earlier in the course of the disease.
The results were presented by Omar Nadeem, MD, Medical Director of the Center of Early Detection and Interception of Blood Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in a late-breaking session at the European Hematology Association Congress in Stockholm, Sweeden, June 11 to 14.
Three-quarters of patients receiving teclistamab (75.6%) achieved a complete response, compared with none in the group who received the combination therapy. Teclistamab also drove exceptionally deep remissions based on highly sensitive testing. Among patients who could be evaluated for minimal residual disease (MRD), a measure of whether cancer cells can still be detected at very low levels, 82% of those in the teclistamab group became MRD-negative. No patients in group that received combination therapy achieved MRD negativity. All MRD-negative responses remained ongoing at the time of the data cutoff.
“These are striking results because this is the first randomized study to show that a BCMA-targeted bispecific therapy can outperform a lenalidomide-based approach in high-risk smoldering myeloma,” said Nadeem. “We saw rapid, deep responses, including a high rate of complete responses and MRD negativity, and those responses have remained durable so far. These findings suggest that treating patients earlier — before they develop symptomatic multiple myeloma — may meaningfully change the trajectory of the disease.”
About 50 percent of patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma will progress to active multiple myeloma within two years. Current standard of care for high-risk smoldering myeloma is observation, however a combination of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone has been shown in previously clinical trials to delay progression.
Teclistamab, which engages both cancer cells and T cells to redirect T cells to the cancer, is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. T-cell redirection, however, might be more effective if used earlier in the disease process, before patients are exposed to therapies that can increase the chances of drug resistance, and before they transition into full-blown multiple myeloma, which can compromise immune system function.
ImmunoPRISM enrolled 59 patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma based on established risk criteria. Patients were randomized, with 45 receiving teclistamab and 14 receiving the lenalidomide combination therapy. Beyond complete responses, 87% of patients treated with teclistamab achieved a very good partial response or better, compared with 14% in the combination therapy group.
Teclistamab also significantly improved progression free survival, with 7% of patients in the teclistamab progressing after a median 23.4 months of follow up, compared to 36% in the combination therapy group. An estimated 92 percent of patients will be alive and disease free after two years with teclistamab compared to an estimated 51 percent with the combination therapy.
While 71 percent of patients receiving teclistamab experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a known side effect of some T-cell therapies, all were low grade. No neurological toxicities were observed. Other observed side effects were manageable, and rates of high-grade infections were lower than observed in clinical trials of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with teclistamab.
"Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence that early immunologic intervention may be a highly effective strategy for myeloma interception,” said Dr. Irene Ghobrial, Director of the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Blood Cancers. “By harnessing the immune system before the onset of symptomatic disease, teclistamab may leverage preserved immune fitness and lower disease burden to achieve deeper, more durable disease control and potentially prevent progression to active multiple myeloma.”
About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. We provide the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 5 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care.
As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 clinical trials.
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