Caia, Andrea

Abstract Outcomes are poor in triple-class–exposed (TCE) relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). In the phase 3 KarMMa-3 trial, patients with TCE R/RMM and 2 to 4 prior regimens were randomized 2:1 to idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) or standard regimens (SRs). An interim analysis (IA) demonstrated significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS; primary end point; 13.3 vs 4.4 months; P < .0001) and higher overall response rate (ORR) with ide-cel vs SRs. At final PFS analysis (median follow-up, 30.9 months), ide-cel further improved median PFS vs SRs (13.8 vs 4.4 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.63). PFS benefit with ide-cel vs SRs was observed regardless of number of prior lines of therapy, with greatest benefit after 2 prior lines (16.2 vs 4.8 months, respectively). ORR benefit was maintained with ide-cel vs SRs (71% vs 42%; complete response, 44% vs 5%). Patient-centric design allowed crossover from SRs (56%) to ide-cel upon progressive disease, confounding overall survival (OS) interpretation. At IA of OS, median was 41.4 (95% CI, 30.9 to not reached [NR]) vs 37.9 (95% CI, 23.4 to NR) months with ide-cel and SRs, respectively (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.73-1.40); median OS in both arms was longer than historical data (9-22 months). Two prespecified analyses adjusting for crossover showed OS favoring ide-cel. This trial highlighted the importance of individualized bridging therapy to ensure adequate disease control during ide-cel manufacturing. Ide-cel improved patient-reported outcomes vs SRs. No new safety signals were reported. These results demonstrate the continued favorable benefit-risk profile of ide-cel in early-line and TCE R/RMM. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03651128.

Introduction In the KarMMa-3 trial (NCT03651128), ide-cel, a BCMA-directed CAR T cell therapy (Tx), significantly improved median progression-free survival (13.3 vs 4.4 mo, HR 0.49, P < 0.001) and overall response rate (71% vs 42%, P < 0.001) vs std regimens in pts with RRMM who were TCE to immunomodulatory (IMiD ®) agents, proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and daratumumab (Rodríguez-Otero NEJM 2023). Early high-grade (gr) cytopenias and severe infections have been reported post-CAR T cell infusion (Logue Blood 2022, Thibaud Blood 2022), and persistent cytopenias and infections can pose clinical challenges in pt care. In this safety analysis of KarMMa-3, we report frequency, kinetics of occurrence, and management of cytopenias and infections post-Tx with ide-cel or std regimens. Methods This international, randomized, multicenter phase 3 trial enrolled pts with RRMM who received 2-4 prior Txs (an IMiD agent, a PI, and daratumumab) and were refractory to the last Tx. Pts were randomized 2:1 to ide-cel or a std regimen (DPd, DVd, IRd, Kd, or EPd) selected by investigator based on prior anti-MM Tx. In the ide-cel arm, pts could have ≤ 1 cycle of optional bridging Tx (BTx) for disease control. Treated population (pop; ide-cel: pts who received leukapheresis [LA], BTx, lymphodepleting chemotherapy, or ide-cel; std regimens: pts who received any dose of study Tx) was used to assess adverse events (AEs), gr 3/4 AEs, and serious AEs. Safety pop (pts who received ide-cel or any dose of std regimens) was used to assess treatment-emergent AEs, AEs of special interest, investigator-identified neurotoxicity/cytokine release syndrome and others. In pts who had documented disease progression on std regimens and then underwent LA to receive ide-cel, only AEs before LA were included. In this analysis, incidence of cytopenias and infections at various time intervals and management, types of infections, and incidence of hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) were assessed. Results At data cutoff (Oct 3, 2022), median follow-up was 24.1 (range 5.9−41.0) mo in the 386 randomized pts. In the treated pop, 248/249 (99.6%) vs 124/126 (98.4%) pts had any-gr AEs, 234 (94.0%) vs 96 (76.2%) had gr 3/4, and 36 (14.5%) vs 9 (7.1%) had gr 5 in ide-cel vs std regimens arms, respectively. Of the gr 5 AEs, 18/36 and 3/9 had verbatim terms consistent with progressive disease. In the safety pop, incidence of gr 3/4 cytopenias with ide-cel were higher early after infusion but generally resolved over time (196 [87.1%] pts at < 3 mo, 52 [24.1%] pts at 3−< 6 mo, 30 [14.7%] pts at ≥ 6 mo; Table 1) vs std regimens, which showed lower rate of resolution over time. More pts in the ide-cel (16 [7.1%]) vs std regimens arms (3 [2.4%]) had any-gr febrile neutropenia. Cytopenias were mainly managed using colony-stimulating factor in both arms (55.5% and 58.7%, respectively); RBC (48%) and platelet transfusions (32%) were more common in the ide-cel arm. Overall, incidence of gr 3/4 infections was high at < 3 mo and remained consistent over time in both arms (ide-cel: 17 [7.6%] pts at < 3 mo, 18 [8.3%] pts at 3−< 6 mo, 13 [6.4%] pts at ≥ 6 mo; Table 2). Any-gr bacterial infections were more common in the ide-cel vs std regimens arms with higher incidence at < 3 mo (10% vs 6%) but lowered at later timepoints. Incidence of gr ≥ 3 viral infections remained low and consistent with time; fungal infections were uncommon. Deaths due to infections occurred in 3 (1.3%) vs 1 (0.8%) pts at < 3 mo, 0 pts at 3−< 6 mo, and 7 (3.4%) vs 2 (2.6%) pts at ≥ 6 mo in the ide-cel vs std regimens arms, respectively. Indence of any-gr new HGG was higher in the ide-cel vs std regimens arms but decreased over time: 15 (6.7%) vs 2 (1.6%) pts at < 3 mo, 3 (1.4%) vs 1 (0.9%) at 3−< 6 mo, and 5 (2.5%) vs 0 at ≥ 6 mo, respectively; of these, 13 (5.8%) vs 1 (0.8%), 2 (0.9%) vs 1 (0.9%), and 5 (2.5%) vs 0 pts received IV immunoglobulin replacement Tx at the respective time intervals. Incidence rate (% per 100 pt-years, 95% CI) of second primary malignancies remained low and similar between arms (ide-cel, 4.0 [2.4−6.7]; std regimens, 4.4 [1.9−10.7]). Conclusion In KarMMa-3, most severe cytopenias associated with ide-cel occurred early, with a low incidence of prolonged cytopenias; all were largely manageable. Any-gr bacterial infections decreased over time while viral infections remained the same. No new safety concerns were identified for ide-cel; safety profile was consistent with previous reports. Study support 2seventy bio and Celgene, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Introduction A single ide-cel infusion showed significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS) vs std regimens (13.3 vs 4.4 months [mo], HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38-0.65, P < 0.001) with deep, durable responses in heavily pretreated TCE RRMM at an interim analysis (IA) of KarMMa-3 (NCT03651128); safety data were consistent with prior studies (Rodríguez-Otero et al. NEJM 2023). Ide-cel benefits were consistent across pts in high-risk subgroups and across 2-4 prior lines of therapy (Tx). Results of the preplanned final PFS analysis of KarMMa-3 with 12.3 mo additional follow-up are reported. Methods In the phase 3 KarMMa-3 trial, pts with RRMM who received 2-4 prior regimens, including an immunomodulatory agent, proteasome inhibitor, and daratumumab, and were refractory to last regimen were randomized 2:1 to ide-cel or a std regimen (DPd, DVd, IRd, Kd, or EPd). In the ide-cel arm, pts could receive ≤ 1 cycle of optional bridging Tx for disease control. Pts in the std regimens arm could receive ide-cel after confirmed disease progression (PD). The primary endpoint was IRC-assessed PFS in the ITT population; final PFS was planned to be analyzed with ~289 events. Key secondary endpoints were IRC-assessed overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS); other secondary endpoints included complete response rate (CRR), duration of response (DOR), minimal residual disease (MRD) status, time to next anti-myeloma Tx (TTNT; time from randomization to next anti-myeloma Tx [MTx]), event-free survival (EFS; time from randomization to first PD, next MTx or any-cause death, whichever is first), PFS2 (time from randomization to second objective PD or any-cause death, whichever is first), safety, and health-related quality of life (QOL). Results Of 386 randomized pts (ide-cel, n = 254; std regimens, n = 132), 225 received ide-cel and 126 received a std regimen. Baseline characteristics were generally balanced. Median follow-up from randomization to data cutoff (April 28, 2023) was 30.9 mo (range 12.7-47.8). Ide-cel significantly improved median PFS (95% CI) vs std regimens (13.8 [11.8-16.1] vs 4.4 [3.4-5.8] mo), representing a 51% reduced risk of PD or death (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38-0.63; Figure); 18 mo PFS rates were 41% vs 19%, respectively. Ide-cel significantly improved ORR vs std regimens (71% vs 42%) with deeper (CRR 44% vs 5%; ≥CR and MRD negative status [sensitivity level 10 -5], 22% vs 1%), more durable responses (median DOR 16.6 vs 9.7 mo; Table). PFS and ORR benefits of ide-cel vs std regimens were consistent with the IA. Interim OS will be included in the presentation. In pts who received ide-cel (n = 225) or a std regimen (n = 126), median PFS (95% CI) was 15.7 (12.5-18.9) vs 4.4 (3.4-5.8) mo, respectively. In the ITT population, median TTNT, EFS, and PFS2 were numerically longer with ide-cel vs std regimens. Median (range) TTNT was 20.9 (16.6-24.2) vs 7.0 (5.3-8.5) mo. Median (95% CI) EFS was 13.3 (11.3-15.7) vs 3.9 (3.0-5.3) mo. Median PFS2 (95% CI) was 23.5 (18.4-27.9) vs 16.7 (12.2-20.3) mo; ide-cel was next MTx in 70 (53%) pts in the std regimens arm. In the treated population, grade (gr) 3/4 infections occurred in 66/249 (27%) pts in the ide-cel arm vs 25/126 (20%) in the std regimens arm. In the ide-cel safety population, any gr cytokine release syndrome occurred in 197/225 (88%) pts, gr ≥ 3 in 11 (5%); median time to first onset was 1 d (1-14), median duration was 4 d (1-51). Any gr investigator-identified neurotoxicity occurred in 34/225 (15%) pts, gr ≥ 3 in 7 (3%); median time to onset was 3 d (range 1-317); median duration was 2.5 d (range 1-252). Ide-cel continued to demonstrate durable, clinically meaningful improvements in pt-reported outcomes, including symptoms, functioning, and QOL vs std regimens. Conclusions In this final PFS analysis of KarMMa-3, significantly longer PFS was maintained with ide-cel; PD or death risk reduced by 51%; responses were deeper and more durable vs std regimens. CRR with ide-cel increased since the IA, indicating a deepening response, but were unchanged with std regimens. A single ide-cel infusion vs continuous treatment with std regimens resulted in longer median TTNT and PFS2, indicating improved long-term disease control. The ide-cel safety profile was consistent with previous reports, with no parkinsonism or Guillain-Barré syndrome reported. These data continue to support use of ide-cel in pts with TCE RRMM. Study support 2seventy bio and Celgene, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Background: Ide-cel, a BCMA-directed CAR T cell therapy, showed tolerability and promising efficacy in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the first-in-human phase 1 CRB-401 study (Raje et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1726) and the pivotal phase 2 KarMMa study (Munshi et al. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38[suppl, abstr]:8503). Ide-cel demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile with an overall response rate (ORR) of 85%, a complete response (CR) rate of 45%, and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.8 months in the first 33 patients treated in CRB-401. Reported here are updated safety and efficacy results for 62 patients who received ide-cel in the ongoing CRB-401 study. Methods: CRB-401 (NCT02658929) is a 2-part, phase 1 dose-escalation and -expansion study. The expansion phase enrolled patients who had received ≥3 prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 antibody, and were refractory to their last line of therapy. Eligibility criteria for the dose-escalation phase were described previously (Raje et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1726). After lymphodepletion with fludarabine (30 mg/m2/day) and cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2/day) for 3 days followed by 2 days of rest, patients received ide-cel at target doses of 50, 150, 450, or 800 × 106 CAR+ T cells in the dose-escalation phase and 150 to 450 × 106 CAR+ T cells in the dose-expansion phase. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included tumor response according to the International Myeloma Working Group criteria. Exploratory endpoints included PFS, overall survival (OS), and minimal residual disease (MRD). Results: As of January 14, 2020, 21 patients had received ide-cel in the dose-escalation phase, and 41 patients received ide-cel in the dose-expansion phase. The median age was 61 years, and 44% of patients had high tumor burden (≥50% bone marrow CD138+ plasma cells). Of the 62 patients, 45% received >6 prior regimens, 90% were daratumumab-exposed, and 77% were daratumumab-refractory. As of the cutoff date, 13 patients were ongoing, and 49 patients had discontinued the study. Reasons for study discontinuation were progressive disease (58%), withdrawal by patients (10%), and death (10%). Based on safety and efficacy in the dose-escalation phase, target dose levels of 150 to 450 × 106 CAR+ T cells were selected for the dose-expansion phase. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (92%), cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 76%), anemia (76%), and thrombocytopenia (74%). The most frequent grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (89%), leukopenia (61%), anemia (57%), and thrombocytopenia (57%). Most CRS events were grade 1 or 2 (Table). Four patients (7%) had grade 3 CRS; there were no grade >3 CRS events. The incidence of CRS generally increased with target dose level. Neurologic toxicity (NT; clustered term) occurred in 27 patients (44%) and was primarily grade 1/2 with 1 patient having grade 3 and 1 patient having grade 4 NT. Among all 62 patients in the dose-escalation and -expansion phases, the ORR was 76%, including 24 patients (39%) with a CR or better and 40 patients (65%) with a very good partial response or better. The median duration of response was 10.3 months. Of 37 responders evaluable for MRD, 30 were MRD negative (≤10−4 nucleated cells) at 1 or more time point, and 7 responders were MRD positive. With a median follow-up of 14.7 months for all patients in the dose-escalation and dose-expansion phases, median PFS was 8.8 months and median OS was 34.2 months. Overall, a dose-dependent effect was observed on responses and survival outcomes, with greater efficacy reported at ≥150 × 106 CAR+ T cells (Table). Conclusions: Ide-cel demonstrated deep and durable responses in heavily-pretreated RRMM patients. Efficacy and safety reflect prior reports and support a favorable clinical benefit-risk profile for ide-cel at target dose levels ≥150 × 106 CAR+ T cells. Table Disclosures Lin: Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Vineti: Consultancy; Sorrento: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gamida Cells: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Legend BioTech: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding. Raje:Caribou: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Consultancy; Bluebird, Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Immuneel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Astrazeneca: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Berdeja:Abbvie: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Vivolux: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; Bluebird: Research Funding; Lilly: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Glenmark: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Legend: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Prothena: Consultancy; Teva: Research Funding; Servier: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioclinica: Consultancy; EMD Sorono: Research Funding; Acetylon: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cellularity: Research Funding; Kesios: Research Funding; CURIS: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; CRISPR Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Siegel:Karyopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celulatiry: Consultancy. Jagannath:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Legend Biotech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Madduri:Legend: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kinevant: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau; Foundation Medicine: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau. Liedtke:Pfizer: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rosenblatt:Celgene: Research Funding. Maus:arcellx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; kite: Consultancy, Research Funding. Massaro:bluebird, bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Petrocca:bluebird, bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Caia:Celgene a BMS company: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Yang:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Celgene: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Campbell:BMS: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hege:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company), Patents & Royalties: numerous, Research Funding; Celgene (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb): Ended employment in the past 24 months; Mersana Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arcus Biosciences (Former Board of Directors): Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Munshi:BMS: Consultancy; OncoPep: Consultancy, Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties; AbbVie: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; C4: Current equity holder in private company; Amgen: Consultancy; Legend: Consultancy. Kochenderfer:Celgene: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; bluebird, bio: Patents & Royalties; Kite, a Gilead company: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.