By Melissa Badamo, Sundar Jagannath, MBBS- Last Updated: April 8, 2024
Dr. Jagannath, a Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discussed his study, “Linvoseltamab, a B-cell maturation antigen-targeted T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody, induces deep and durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, including difficult-to-treat subgroups” presented at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting.
The clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of linvoseltamab in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). The overall response rate was 71%, and 46% of those patients were in complete remission. Measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity occurred in 93% of patients.
“Across the subgroups, this drug was effective,” said Dr. Jagannath. “The median follow-up is 11 months, but there is deepening of response as the patients stay on this particular study.”
The median duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival were not reached.
The most common side effects were cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neutropenia, and anemia, Dr. Jagannath explained. Infection occurred in 73% of patients, with grade 3-4 infection noted in 34% of patients. Treatment-emergent adverse events leading to death was reported in six patients treated at 200 mg.
CRS occurred in 46% of patients. grade 1 CRS occurred in 35% of patients, grade 2 occurred in 10% of patients, and grade 3 occurred in one patient.
“Because of this, this drug is given [intravenously] and only during the first two step-up doses,” Dr. Jagannath said. “Patients are expected to stay in the hospital for 24 hours, then they are released. Hospitalization with this particular drug is very brief.”
The frequency of infection also decreased by reducing the linvoseltamab dose, Dr. Jagannath said, elaborating on the step-up dosing method utilized in this study. Patients first received linvoseltamab weekly for 14 weeks, then for every two weeks. Patients who achieved a very good partial response or better transitioned to every four weeks.
“As the deepening of response happens, the safety is improved by reducing the frequency by protocol design, and still it is sustained,” Dr. Jagannath said.
Original Source: Sundar Jagannath, MBBS, on Linvoseltamab in Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma | Blood Cancers Today