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Shune, Leyla

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1650-1873

Mayo Clinic

University of Kansas Medical Center

Citations 36

Identifying high-risk profiles and adverse prognoses in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with bispecific antibodies: A real-world analysis of 943 treatment initiations
Zanwar, Saurabh , Hansen, Doris, Goel, Utkarsh , Afrough, Aimaz , Rana, Masooma , Davis, James A. , Sborov, Douglas W. , Bal, Susan, Shune, Leyla , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Biran, Noa , Hassan, Hamza , Khouri, Jack , Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Cassano, Raffaella Cassano , Liang, Emily C. , Ali, Hossam M. , Varga, Cindy , Richards, Tiffany, Hosoya, Hitomi , Gaballa, Mahmoud , Green, Kimberly , Sannareddy, Aishwarya , Anderson, Larry J., Alsina, Melissa , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Krishnan, Amrita , Voorhees, Peter M. , Kumar, Shaji , Sidana, Surbhi , Patel, Krina K. , Dhakal, Binod , Lin, Yi, Costa, Luciano da Fontoura , Sidana, Surbhi , Davis, James A , Hosoya, Hitomi , Ali, Hossam M , Pasvolsky, Oren , Hansen, Doris K. , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Bal, Susan , Janakiram, Murali , Biran, Noa , Herr, Megan M. , Hassan, Hamza, Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Kort, Jeries , Atrash, Shebli , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Baz, Rachid , Zolotov, Eli , Dillard, Christen , Fortuna, Gliceida Galarza , Lee, Lisa K. , Julian, Kelley , Green, Kimberly, Anderson, Larry, Raza, Shahzad , Dima, Danai , Anwer, Faiz , Banerjee, Rahul , Locke, Frederick L. , Dhakal, Binod

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4069-4069

10.1182/blood-2025-4069 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Bispecific T-cell engagers (TCE) targeting BCMA (teclistamab, elranatamab) and GPRC5D (talquetamab) are important therapeutic options in relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). However, data on the independent prognostic impact of individual cytogenetic abnormalities and functional high-risk MM on outcomes with TCEs remains limited. Methods We included RRMM patients treated with BCMA TCEs (teclistamab, elranatamab) and talquetamab across 15 centers in the US. Patients where TCEs were used only as bridging therapy to CAR-T were excluded. High-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCA) included del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16), 1q gain/amplification (1q21+), del(1p) before initiation of TCE. Functional high-risk disease (FHRMM) was defined as PFS <18 months with frontline therapy. Extramedullary disease (EMD) included visceral or soft tissue disease and excluded paraskeletal disease. Progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated from TCE initiation using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of PFS in the entire cohort and the subcohorts of BCMA TCEs and talquetamab (Talq). Results We analyzed 943 treatment initiations with TCEs in RRMM, comprising 577 BCMA-directed TCEs [teclistamab (n=436) and elranatamab (n=141)] and 366 talquetamab initiations. The median follow-up from TCE initiation was 13.4 months (95% CI: 12.5–14.2) and median age was 68 years (interquartile range 61-75 years). Two ore more HRCAs were noted in 30% of the cohort (34% in Talq vs. 28% in BCMA TCEs, p=0.04), EMD was present in 21% of patients (26% in Talq vs. 18% in BCMA TCEs, p=0.002), and 45.5% of patients had FHRMM (47% in Talq vs. 45% in BCMA TCE, p=0.54). The median prior lines of therapy was 6 (interquartile range: 5-8), with 92% being triple-class refractory (TCR); 60% received prior BCMA-directed therapy (85% in Talq vs. 45% in BCMA TCE, p<0.0001) and 45% had prior CAR-T in 45% (57% in Talq vs. 37% in BCMA TCE, p<0.001). The best overall response rate (ORR) was 67.1 % for the entire cohort (66.4% for BCMA cohort and 68.2% for Talq), with 32.5% patients achieving a ≥ complete response. The median PFS was 7.7 months (95% CI: 6.7–8.6) for the entire cohort, with a median PFS of 10.1 months (95% CI: 7.5-13.4) for teclistamab and 10.1 months (95% CI: 3.9-NR) for elranatamab. In the more heavily pretreated talq cohort, the median PFS was 6.4 months (95% CI: 5.1-7.5). In a univariate analysis (UVA), several HRCAs were associated with inferior PFS−del(17p) (HR 1.59), t(4;14) (HR 1.43), del(1p) (HR 1.54), and ≥2 HRCAs (HR 1.64), all p<0.01. Apart from HRCAs, adverse disease characteristics included FHRMM (HR 1.20) and EMD (HR 1.46); all p<0.05. Among laboratory markers, hemoglobin <9 g/dL (HR 2.10), platelet count <75 ×10⁹/L (HR 1.96), and elevated ferritin (≥600 ng/mL; HR 2.17) (all p<0.01) were prognostic for PFS. ECOG ≥2 (HR 1.62), prior BCMA-directed therapy (HR 1.56), and prior CAR-T (HR 1.44) (all p<0.001) were also associated with inferior PFS. In a multivariable analysis (MVA), prior BCMA therapy (HR 1.72, p<0.0001), ferritin >600 ng/mL (HR 1.68, p<0.0001), hemoglobin <9 g/dL (HR 1.53, p=0.001), ECOG PS ≥2 (HR 1.52, p=0.0009), del(17p) (HR 1.44, p=0.0034) and FHRMM (HR 1.26, p=0.047), were associated with inferior PFS. Within the talq cohort (n=366), EMD (HR 1.64), del(17p) (HR 1.42), del(1p) (HR 1.54), FHRMM (HR 1.34), ECOG ≥2 (HR 1.56), ferritin >600 (HR 1.88), hemoglobin <9 g/dL (HR 1.6), platelet count <75 ×10⁹/L (HR 1.36) and leukopenia <0.25 x 10⁹/L (HR 1.52) were adverse prognostic markers on UVA. A MVA confirmed the independent impact of ferritin >600 ng/mL (HR: 1.77), ECOG ≥2 (HR 1.61) and functional high-risk status (HR 1.52) on PFS, whereas del(17p) and EMD were trending toward significance. Within the BCMA TCE cohort (n=577), prior BCMA therapy (HR 1.9), ferritin >600 (HR 1.79), ECOG ≥2 (HR 1.55), Hb <9 g/dL (HR 1.54), and del(17p) (HR 1.52) were independently associated with inferior PFS on a MVA.Conclusions: In this large real-world cohort of TCE, outcomes varied by fitness, disease biology, and treatment history. The ECOG PS, elevated ferritin, functional high-risk status and del(17p) were consistently associated with inferior PFS. Prior BCMA exposure was an independent risk factor for inferior PFS in the BCMA TCE cohort, but not with talquetamab.
Outcomes of stem cell boost (SCB) versus supportive care alone for prolonged cytopenias after chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): A muli-center real-world analysis
Varga, Cindy , Robinson, Myra, Davis, James A. , Hashmi, Hamza , Martin, Thomas N., Kumar, Anupama, Sborov, Douglas W. , Shune, Leyla , Bhurtel, Jenny , Afrough, Aimaz , Dhakal, Binod , Forsberg, Peter A. , Purvey, Sneha , Khouri, Jack , Lin, Yi , Sidana, Surbhi , Midha, Shonali , Haider, Asad , Patel, Krina K. , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Sidana, Surbhi , Davis, James A , Robinson, Myra M , Martin, Thomas, Wagner, Charlotte B , Hansen, Doris K. , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Anderson, Larry D. , Dhakal, Binod , Herr, Megan M. , Richard, Shambavi , Lieberman-Cribbin, Alex , Sherbenou, Daniel W , Kocoglu, Mehmet H.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1035-1035

10.1182/blood-2025-1035 Get It

Abstract Background: Prolonged cytopenias are a well-recognized complication following CAR-T therapy, leading to increased morbidity and healthcare utilization. Autologous SCB offers a potential strategy to promote hematologic recovery. We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional analysis across 18 centers comparing outcomes of SCB versus supportive care alone in RRMM patients who experienced prolonged cytopenias >30 days after CAR-T infusion. Methods: Patients were included if they received SCB within 1 year after commercial CAR-T between 6/2021 and 3/2024. To identify matched controls, we reviewed other CAR-T recipients from the same consortium and selected those with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <0.72x109/L and platelet count of <21K at day 30 post-infusion-thresholds representing the 75th percentile of cytopenia severity in the SCB cohort. These criteria ensured control patients had comparable hematologic toxicity but without SCB. Hematologic recovery in the SCB cohort was assessed using the CIBMTR engraftment criteria. For the non-SCB (nSCB) group, cell counts were analyzed cross-sectionally at day 90 post-CAR-T and compared to the SCB cohort with Kruskal Wallis tests. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan Meier methods. Results: Of the 590 CAR-T recipients, 91 patients (15.4%) developed prolonged cytopenias; 39 patients received SCB and 52 did not. SCB patients more frequently had ISS stage III disease (23.1% vs. 11.5%), exrtamedullary disease (59% vs. 46.2%) and penta-refractory status (43.6% vs. 34.6%). The median number of prior lines of therapy was 6 in both cohorts. Thirteen patients (33.3%) in the SCB and 11 (21.2%) in the nSCB received high intensity infusional chemotherapy (DCEP/PACE/HyperCVAD). Pre-CAR-T cytopenias tended to be less frequent in the SCB vs. nSCB cohort: ANC <1000 in 5.1% vs. 13.5%, Hgb <8 in 23.1% vs. 21.2%, and platelets <50K in 28.2% vs. 40.4%. Median plasmacytosis in the bone marrow prior to CAR-T in the SCB group was 35% and 47.5% in the nSCB group. In the SCB cohort, 2 patients harbored DNMT3A mutations, one of whom had CCUS. Ide-cel was administered in 64.8% and cilta-cel in 35.2% of all patients. The rates and grades of cytokine release syndrome did not differ between groups. Six patients (15.4%) had HLH in the SCB group vs. none in the control group. All (100%) SCB patients received growth factor support; 58% also received TPO agonists. In the nSCB group, 43 patients (82.7%) received growth factor, and 16 patients (30.8%) received TPO agonists. Out of 24 pre-SCB bone marrow biopsies available, only 1 patient had relapsed MM while the remainder had hypocellular marrows. Median CD34+ cell dose was 2.93 million/kg (range: 1.76-23.55) administered at a median of 53 days post-CAR-T (range 24-265). All but one patient (97.4%) in the SCB group achieved hematologic recovery; median time to recovery was 24 days (range 9-87). No new toxicities attributable to SCB were observed. On day 90 post CAR-T infusion, SCB patients had higher median ANC (2.12 vs. 1.59x109/L, p=0.277), Hgb (10.6 vs. 8.7g/dL, p=0.002), and platelet counts (135 vs. 35K/L (p<0.001). Minimal residual disease negativity was achieved in 82.4% (SCB) vs. 83.3% (nSCB). Infections occured in 53.8% and 48.1% of SCB and nSCB cohorts. All serious infections occurred prior to SCB. There were 12 deaths in the SCB group (7 from disease progression, 2 from infection, 1 from neurotoxicity (NT), and 1 unknown) and 27 in the nSCB group (22 from progression, 3 from infection, 1 from HLH, 1 from NT). After a median follow-up period of 12.6 months in the SCB cohort and 11.6 months in the nSCB arm, the mPFS was 11.0 months and 8.2 months, respectively. The mPFS was 10.6 months (SCB) and 5.8 months (nSCB) (p=0.216), and 11.0 months (SCB) and 10.9 months (nSCB), for ide-cel and cilta-cel treated-patients, respectively. Median OS was not reached vs.12.3 months in the SCB vs. nSCB groups, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, SCB was safe and effective in promoting rapid hematologic recovery in nearly all patients. Compared to controls, SCB recipeints had significantly higher Hgb and platelet levels by day 90 post-CAR-T infusion. SCB was associated wih a near doubling of PFS in patients who received ide-cel, though interpretation is limited by non-randomized design and small sample size. Further study is needed to optimize paient selection, timing, and integration of SCB into CAR-T care.
Enhancing the safety of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM): Identification of potentially modifiable risk-factors associated with delayed neurotoxicity and non-relapse mortality
Sidana, Surbhi , Reid, Brett M. , Peres, Lauren C. , Gaballa, Mahmoud , Afrough, Aimaz , Ferreri, Christopher, Varga, Cindy , Rana, Masooma , Hosoya, Hitomi , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Hovanky, Vanna, Zanwar, Saurabh , Kalariya, Nilesh, Mikulski, Damian , Wagner, Charlotte , Cahoon, Christopher, Avila, Gabriel De, Gordillo, Christian , Goel, Utkarsh , Sannareddy, Aishwarya , Cassano, Raffaella Cassano , Midha, Shonali , Gonzalez, Rebecca , Hassan, Hamza , Purvey, Sneha , Green, Kimberly , Liu, Hien , Khouri, Jack , Bal, Susan , Freeman, Ciara L. , Shune, Leyla , Shain, Kenneth H. , Alsina, Melissa , Sborov, Douglas W. , Dahiya, Saurabh , Miklos, David B., Voorhees, Peter M. , Anderson, Larry , Costa, Luciano da Fontoura , Biran, Noa , Kumar, Shaji , Lin, Yi, Patel, Krina K. , Davis, James A. , Sidana, Surbhi , Davis, James A , Hosoya, Hitomi , Dima, Danai , Banerjee, Rahul , Pasvolsky, Oren , Dillard, Christen , Atrash, Shebli , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Wagner, Charlotte, Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Zolotov, Eli , Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Kort, Jeries , Davis, James, Herr, Megan M. , Xie, Zhuoer , Hassan, Hamza, Geer, Marcus , Green, Kimberly, Perna, Fabiana , Nishihori, Taiga , Raza, Shahzad , Anwer, Faiz , Nadeem, Omar , Reshef, Ran , Baz, Rachid , Locke, Frederick L. , Miklos, David B. , Costa, Luciano, Biran, Noa , Hansen, Doris K.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1034-1034

10.1182/blood-2025-1034 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) has shown high efficacy in relapsed MM, but further efforts are needed to mitigate non-ICANS delayed neurotoxicity (DNT) and non-relapse mortality (NRM). Identifying risk factors associated with DNT and NRM may help with risk mitigation by aiding the development of interventions for potentially modifiable risk factors and also help with clinical decision making. Methods: In this multi-center retrospective study from the US MM Immunotherapy Consortium, we evaluated 761 patients treated at 15 centers receiving standard of care cilta-cel for relapsed MM between May 2022 to December 2024. Risk factors for DNT, particularly Parkinsonism and NRM were evaluated in by univariable and multivariable analysis. Any NRM events occurring after disease progression were censored for NRM evaluation. Results: The median age of the cohort was 65 years old (range: 30-88), median prior lines of therapy (pLoT) were 5 (range: 1-23). Cilta-cel was used in earlier relapse (1-3 pLOT) in 16% (n=120) patients. High-risk cytogenetics [del 17p, t(14;16) or t(4;14)] were present in 39%, with extramedullary disease (EMD) in 27% and R-ISS stage III in 18% of patients, respectively. Majority of patients (86%) received bridging therapy with response to bridging (≥ partial response, PR) seen in 33% of patients, respectively. Median follow up was 10.1 months, with response rate of 92% and CR rate of 70%. DNT was seen in 10% (n=75) of patients, with distribution as follows: Parkinsonism in 2.9% (n=22), cranial nerve palsy in 4.6% (n=35) and other DNT in 2.4% (n=18), with some patients manifesting more than one type of DNT. Risk of DNT was higher in patients who did not respond to bridging therapy (Any DNT: 12% vs 6%; Parkinsonism: 5% vs 0.5%, both p<0.05) Of the 22 cases of Parkinsonism, 21 patients (95%) did not respond to bridging, even though they achieved a post CAR-T response with ORR of 91% and ≥ CR in 68%. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), a surrogate measure of CAR expansion was higher in patients who developed DNT, particularly Parkinsonism, including ALC at days 7,14,21,28 and as peak ALC in the first month post cilta-cel (p<0.05 for all). Median peak ALC for patients with vs without Parkinsonism was: 5.88 vs 1.17/uL (p<0.001). We evaluated risk of Parkinsonism with various thresholds of peak ALC expansion. Amongst patients who developed Parkinsonism vs. not, peak ALC was as follows, > 1000/uL: 100% vs 57%, > 2500/uL: 73% vs 19% and > 3000/uL: 68% vs 14% (all p<0.001). The absolute risk of Parkinsonism with ALC > 3000 vs ≤ 3000/uL was 12% vs 1%, p<0.001; for ALC 2500 vs ≤ 2500uL was 9% vs 1%, p<0.001. On multivariable analysis, peak ALC > 3000/uL (OR: 12.7, p<0.001) and non-response to bridging therapy (OR: 9.9, p=0.03) were independent risk factors for developing Parkinsonism after cilta-cel. After cilta-cel, 1 and 2 year NRM estimates were 9% and 10%, respectively. Amongst 63 (8%) patients experiencing NRM events, the most common cause of NRM was infectious complications (35, 56%), followed by acute immune-mediated adverse events (AEs) like CRS, ICANS, IEC-HS in 14 (22%), delayed immune mediated AEs like DNT and colitis in 6 (9.5%), second cancers in 5 (8%) and other causes in 3 (5%) patients, respectively. When evaluating the timing of NRM events, the risk of infection related mortality remained relatively stable in the first year, though immune mediated toxicty deaths were uncommon after 6 months, while SPMs were uncommon within the first 6 months. On multivariable analysis, non-response to bridging (HR 2.41, p=0.046), poor performance status ≥ 2, high-risk cytogenetics and age ≥ 70 years were independent predictors for NRM. Conclusion: In a large cohort of over 750 patients receiving cilta-cel, we identified potentially modifiable risk factors for Parkinsonism and NRM. Non-response to bridging therapy and peak ALC > 3000/uL were independent predictors of developing Parkinsonism. Peak ALC of > 2500/uL and > 3000/uL were associated with 9% and 12% absolute risk of Parkinsonism. This indicates that peak ALC of 2500/uL or 3000/uL in the first month after cilta-cel may be a potential biomarker to identify patients for pre-emptive interventions such as steroids that can suppress rapid CAR expansion and perhaps decrease the risk of Parkinsonism. In addition, we need to focus on effective bridging strategies to further decrease the risk of Parkinsonism, as well as NRM with cilta-cel.
Predictors of early relapse following ciltacabtagene autoleucel: Informing risk-adapted therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Peres, Lauren C. , Zanwar, Saurabh , Richards, Alicia, Gaballa, Mahmoud , Afrough, Aimaz , Reid, Brett M. , Goel, Utkarsh , Sannareddy, Aishwarya , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Varga, Cindy , Hosoya, Hitomi , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Kalariya, Nilesh, Mikulski, Damian , Cahoon, Christopher, Cheng, Peter K.C. , Gordillo, Christian , Bhurtel, Jenny , Cassano, Raffaella Cassano , Midha, Shonali , Gonzalez, Rebecca , Purvey, Sneha , Green, Kimberly , Liu, Hien , Khouri, Jack , Bal, Susan, Freeman, Ciara L. , Shune, Leyla , Shain, Kenneth H. , Alsina, Melissa , Sborov, Douglas W. , Voorhees, Peter M. , Costa, Luciano da Fontoura , Biran, Noa , Kumar, Shaji , Lin, Yi, Sidana, Surbhi , Patel, Krina K. , Davis, James A. , Sidana, Surbhi , Davis, James A , Hosoya, Hitomi , Hansen, Doris K. , Dima, Danai , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Pasvolsky, Oren , Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Xie, Zhuoer , Dillard, Christen , Atrash, Shebli , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Wagner, Charlotte B , Zolotov, Eli , Kort, Jeries , Davis, James, Herr, Megan M. , Hassan, Hamza , Geer, Marcus , Green, Kimberly, Perna, Fabiana , Nishihori, Taiga , Raza, Shahzad , Anwer, Faiz , Bal, Susan , Nadeem, Omar , Banerjee, Rahul , Reshef, Ran , Baz, Rachid , Anderson, Larry D. , Costa, Luciano, Biran, Noa , Locke, Frederick L.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 93-93

10.1182/blood-2025-93 Get It

Abstract Introduction Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) has demonstrated unprecedented response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but a proportion of patients experience early relapse. Identifying these patients is essential to guide future therapeutic strategies, such as enhanced bridging therapy or consolidation, while avoiding overtreatment in those likely to achieve durable disease control. Methods We conducted a multi-center study of patients treated with cilta-cel at 15 U.S. academic centers. Outcomes were evaluated based on high-risk (HR) features, including functional HR disease (FHR; relapse within 18 months of first-line therapy initiation), true extramedullary disease (EMD), traditional HR cytogenetics as defined in CARTITUDE-1 [deletion 17p, t(4;14), t(14;16)], and a 2024 IMS-IMWG-adapted HR definition (deletion 17p; t(4;14) or t(14;16) with gain 1q or deletion 1p; and gain 1q with deletion 1p). Multivariable Cox regression was used to examine the association of HR features (FHR, adapted IMS-IMWG HR, and EMD, individually and collectively) with PFS while adjusting for baseline ferritin, prior BCMA, and ECOG performance status (PS ≥2). Among patients with ≥18 months of follow-up, we evaluated predictors of early relapse (≤18 months post infusion) using logistic regression. Results Our cohort included 598 patients treated with cilta-cel between 5/2022 and 12/2024 who had available data on all HR features. The median age was 65 years (range 33-83), and the median prior lines of therapy (pLOT) was 5 (range: 1-18, 84% with >3 pLOT); 8% had received prior BCMA-directed therapy, and 27% were penta-refractory. Most patients (88%) received bridging therapy and 30% achieved ≥ partial response. In our cohort, 33% (n=195) had FHR, 43% (n=258) had traditional HR cytogenetics, 42% (n=253) had adapted IMS-IMWG HR disease, and 11% (n=64) had EMD. Median follow up was 10.6 months (range 0.4-34.1). Overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rates were lower in patients with vs without HR features: FHR (ORR: 89% vs 94%, CR: 61% vs 75%), traditional HR (ORR: 90% vs 94%, CR: 65% vs 74%), adapted IMS-IMWG HR (ORR: 91% vs 94%, CR: 64% vs 75%) and EMD (ORR: 77% vs 94%, CR: 61% vs 71%). Corresponding 12-month PFS was also lower in patients with vs without HR features: FHR (55% vs 79%), traditional HR (63% vs 78%), adapted IMS-IMWG HR (61% vs 80%) and EMD (59% vs 73%). ORR, CR rate, and 12-month PFS in patients without any HR features compared to those with ≥1 HR feature were 96% vs 90%, 81% vs 64%, and 83% vs 65%, respectively. In multivariable models, each HR feature (FHR, adapted IMS-IMWG HR, and EMD) was independently associated with inferior PFS after adjusting for baseline ferritin, prior BCMA, and ECOG PS ≥ 2. However, because early relapse cannot always be identified a priori based on traditional risk factors, we sought to identify predictors of relapse within 18 months of cilta-cel in a subset of patients with ≥18 months of follow-up (N=247; infused by 12/2023). Notably, while FHR (OR=3.04, 95% CI=1.59-5.89) and adapted IMS-IMWG HR (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.10-3.89) were independently associated with odds of relapse within 18 months, EMD was not (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.32, 2.40) when accounting for prior BCMA, ECOG PS ≥ 2, and baseline ferritin. We also used a time-varying Cox model to examine each HR feature associated with PFS at two time periods, <18 and ≥18 months, while adjusting for baseline ferritin, ECOG PS, and prior BCMA. We confirmed that FHR and adapted IMS-IMWG HR were both associated with relapse <18 months (HR=2.05, 95% CI=1.48-2.83 and HR=1.56, 95% CI=1.11-2.19) but not in the ≥18-month time period (HR=0.70, 95% CI=0.19-2.59 and HR=0.76, 95% CI=0.24-2.40). The magnitude of the association for EMD with PFS was similar across both time periods (<18 months HR=1.67, 95% CI=1.09-2.57 and ≥18 months HR=2.17, 95% CI=0.45-10.40). Conclusion While cilta-cel leads to high response rates and durable PFS in RRMM, a subset of patients with FHR and adapted IMS-IMWG HR remains at increased risk for early relapse. In this large multi-center cohort, we describe PFS outcomes across high-risk subgroups and identify key predictors of relapse within 18 months of cilta-cel. These findings inform risk-adapted therapeutic strategies and interventional trials, including bridging, consolidation, or maintenance approaches, to improve outcomes in the highest-risk RRMM patients.
Subsequent primary malignancies after CAR-T therapy: A study from the US multiple myeloma immunotherapy consortium
Biran, Noa , Roney, Patrick , Ahn, Jaeil, Tan, Melinda, Sidana, Surbhi , DeJarnette, Shaun, Afrough, Aimaz , Gaballa, Mahmoud , Khouri, Jack , Goel, Utkarsh , Zanwar, Saurabh , Gordillo, Christian , Cassano, Raffaella Cassano , Bhurtel, Jenny , Shune, Leyla , Freeman, Ciara L. , Davis, James A. , Green, Kimberly M , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Hosoya, Hitomi , Sannareddy, Aishwarya , Patel, Krina K. , Sborov, Douglas W. , Cahoon, Christopher, Purvey, Sneha , Ferreri, Christopher, Sidana, Surbhi , Davis, James A , Hosoya, Hitomi , Zolotov, Eli , Rees, Matthew J. , Banerjee, Rahul , Dima, Danai , Pasvolsky, Oren , Raza, Shahzad , Anwer, Faiz , Lin, Yi , Atrash, Shebli , Reshef, Ran , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Kort, Jeries , Geer, Marcus , Xie, Zhuoer , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Hansen, Doris K. , Locke, Frederick L. , Nishihori, Taiga , Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Herr, Megan M. , Hassan, Hamza , Anderson, Larry D. , Khan, Adeel , Wagner, Charlotte B , Fortuna, Gliceida Galarza

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5852-5852

10.1182/blood-2025-5852 Get It

Abstract Introduction: The CAR-T therapies ide-cel and cilta-cel are approved for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, subtypes, and associated risk factors for subsequent primary malignancies (SPMs) in MM pts treated with CAR-T therapy in the real-world setting. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted of pts who received CAR-T therapy between May 2021 and Dec 2024 at 15 centers within the US Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium. Logistic models were used for univariable analyses of invasive SPMs (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). Variables significant at p < 0.10 were included as candidate variables in the multivariable analysis. Time to event endpoints were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Of n=1460 CAR-T recipients, median follow-up from the time of CAR-T infusion for the entire cohort, ide-cel, and cilta-cel pts was 13.1, 16.9, and 10 months, respectively. A total of 55 invasive SPMs were noted in 53 pts (SPM incidence 3.6%). The incidence rate of SPMs was 4.55 per 1,000 person-years, based on 53 SPMs occurring over 11,646.14 person-years (calculated from CAR-T to the SPM diagnosis, death, or last follow-up). Baseline characteristics were similar for pts with no SPM versus SPM including: age at CAR-T (median 67 vs 65), female (36% vs 43%), Black (13% vs 16%), prior autologous transplant (87% vs 80%), lenalidomide for ≥2 years (31% vs 27%), high risk cytogenetics (23% vs 29%), and known clonal hematopoiesis (7.5% vs 9.9%). Differences were observed in baseline characteristics among pts with SPM versus no SPM for ≥2 prior alkylator lines of therapy (LOT) (82% vs 60%, p=0.002) and median prior LOT (6 vs 5, p=0.008). There was a trend for more patients with SPMs being age ≥70 (35% vs 37%, p=0.074). Of the 53 SPMs, 26 (49%) were myeloid (MDS or AML), 19 (35.8%) were solid, 7 (13.2%) were of T-cell origin, and 1 was a B-cell lymphoma. Of the T-cell SPMs, three were of T-LGL, though one of the T-LGL pts later developed an invasive CNS T-cell lymphoma (CAR-negative). There were four cases of confirmed CAR-positive T-cell SPMs (all pts treated with cilta-cel), of which two were indolent T-cell lymphoma of the GI tract and two were cutaneous PTCL. There was no difference in total incidence of SPMs among pts who received ide-cel (total=4.4%; myeloid=2.2%, T-cell=0.04%) versus cilta-cel (total=3%; myeloid=1.4%; T-cell=0.5%) (p=0.21). Median OS from the time of CAR-T therapy was 40.8 months for pts without SPM compared to 27.6 months for pts with SPM (p=0.4). Median OS did not differ by myeloid, solid, and T-cell subgroup: 26.4, 37.2, and 24 months, respectively (p=0.21). Median time from CAR-T cell to SPM was 12 months overall, and by subtypes of myeloid, solid, and T-cell was 13.2, 9.6, and 9.6 months, respectively (p=0.74). There was no difference in time to any SPM among pts receiving ide-cel versus cilta-cel (p=0.61). An earlier time to diagnosis of myeloid SPM was observed for cilta-cel versus ide-cel (4.8 vs 20.4 months; p=0.003). Median OS from the time of diagnosis of any SPM, myeloid, solid, or T-cell SPM was 9.6, 7.2, 15.6, and not reached in months, respectively (p=0.006), demonstrating that pts diagnosed with myeloid subtype SPM had inferior OS from the time of their SPM diagnosis compared to other subtypes. The cause of death of 4/11 myeloid SPM pts was the myeloid SPM itself. In univariable analysis for the entire cohort, age ≥70 (p=0.079), ≥5 prior LOT (p=0.012), and ≥2 prior alkylator LOT (p<0.001) were associated with higher risk for SPM. In multivariable analysis, ≥2 LOT containing alkylators was associated with higher risk of SPM (p=0.005). For the univariable analysis of the myeloid subgroup, ≥2 prior alkylator LOT (p=0.016) and ≥2 years of lenalidomide maintenance (p=0.063) were associated with higher risk of SPM. In multivariable analysis, ≥2 years of lenalidomide (p=0.065) was associated with a trend toward increased risk of myeloid SPM. Conclusions: With a median follow up of 13.1 months, the incidence of developing a SPM following CAR-T in pts with RRMM was 3.6%, of which approximately half were myeloid malignancies. There was no difference in SPM incidence when comparing the two CAR-T products. Pts treated with ≥2 alkylator LOT had a higher risk of SPM in multivariable analysis and may warrant additional monitoring for SPM development.
Safety and efficacy of BCMA-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for the treatment of plasma cell leukemia
Fortuna, Gliceida Galarza , Peres, Lauren C. , Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Hovanky, Vanna, Shune, Leyla , McGuirk, Joseph P. , Avilla, Gabriel De, Khouri, Jack , Dima, Danai , Gaballa, Mahmoud , Dhakal, Binod , Forsberg, Peter A. , Godara, Amandeep , Afrough, Aimaz , Anderson, Larry D. , Davis, James A. , Mann, Hashim , Purvey, Sneha , Clark, William , Htut, Myo, Ferreri, Christopher J. , Voorhees, Peter M. , Hashmi, Hamza , Patel, Krina K. , Sidana, Surbhi , Lin, Yi, Sborov, Douglas W. , Galarza Fortuna, Gliceida M , De Menezes Silva Corraes, Andre , McGuirk, Joseph , Khouri, Jack , Dima, Danai , Dhakal, Binod , Godara, Amandeep , Anderson, Larry D , Herr, Megan M. , Davis, James A , Mann, Hashim , Kocoglu, Mehmet H , Voorhees, Peter , Patel, Krina , Sidana, Surbhi , Hansen, Doris K , Sborov, Douglas W , Назаренко, Елена Борисовна , Avilla, Gabriel De, Clark, William, Htut, Myo , Beitinjaneh, Amer , Pereira, Denise L. , Kocoglu, Mehmet H. , Atrash, Shebli , Rossi, Adriana , Richard, Shambavi , Hansen, Doris K.

Blood Advances | August 28, 2025 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 6009-6018

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016966 Get It

Abstract Despite significant therapeutic advances in multiple myeloma (MM), outcomes in patients with plasma cell leukemia (PCL) remain dismal. We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with PCL who were treated with the B-cell maturation antigen–directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) products idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel). We identified 34 patients; 19 patients received ide-cel and 15 received cilta-cel. With a median follow-up of 11.9 months, the overall median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4-15) and the median overall survival (mOS) was 13.0 months (95% CI, 8 to not estimable [NE]). The 1-year cumulative incidence of progression or death was 72%, and the 1-year cumulative incidence of death was 47%. Patients who received cilta-cel had a longer mPFS (19.0 months vs 6.0 months) and mOS (>23 months [NE] vs 9.0 months) when compared with those treated with ide-cel. Similarly, the 1-year cumulative incidence of disease progression or death was 37.5% (95% CI, 17.4-68.5) with cilta-cel, whereas all patients treated with ide-cel progressed or died within 12 months of infusion. The rates of hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were similar between patients treated with cilta-cel and those treated with ide-cel and were consistent with those reported in patients with MM. In this first multicenter study that evaluated patients with PCL who were treated with standard-of-care CAR-T products, we show that CAR-T is safe, feasible, and associated with improved outcomes when compared with historic standards.
Real-World Experience with Teclistamab for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma from the US Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium
Razzo, Beatrice M. , Midha, Shonali , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Corraes, Andre De Menezes Silva , Costello, Patrick , Liu, Yuxin , Sperling, Adam S. , Nadeem, Omar , Dima, Danai , Cowan, Andrew J. , Afrough, Aimaz , Anderson, Larry D. , Goyal, Anmol , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Voorhees, Peter M. , Patel, Krina K. , Julian, Kelley , Forsberg, Peter A. , Susanibar-Adaniya, Sandra P. , Khouri, Jack , Raza, Shahzad , Vazquez‐Martinez, Mariola , Sborov, Douglas W. , Davis, James A. , Shune, Leyla , Bhurtel, Jenny , Hwang, Wei‐Ting , Sidana, Surbhi , Grajales-Cruz, Ariel F , De Menezes Silva Corraes, Andre , Banerjee, Rahul , Cowan, Andrew J , Afrough, Aimaz , Anderson, Larry D , Lieberman-Cribbin, Alex , Kaur, Gurbakhash , Goyal, Anmol , Atrash, Shebli , Ferreri, Christopher , Voorhees, Peter , Pasvolsky, Oren , Lee, Hans C , Patel, Krina , Julian, Kelley L , Forsberg, Peter A , Herr, Megan M. , Chhabra, Saurabh , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Lin, Yi , Chen, Anna , Susanibar-Adaniya, Sandra P , Khouri, Jack , Raza, Shahzad , Anwer, Faiz , Vazquez-Martinez, Mariola A , Castaneda Puglianini, Omar , Sborov, Douglas W , Davis, James A , Rossi, Adriana , Shune, Leyla , Bhurtel, Evguenia , Hwang, Wei-Ting , Hansen, Doris K , Sidana, Surbhi , Garfall, Alfred L , Richard, Shambavi , Nadeem, Omar , Dima, Danai , Sperling, Adam S , Portuguese, Andrew J , Banerjee, Rahul , Kaur, Gurbakhash , Atrash, Shebli , Pasvolsky, Oren , Lee, Hans C. , Chhabra, Saurabh , Lin, Yi , Anwer, Faiz , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Rossi, Adriana , Hansen, Doris K. , Garfall, Alfred L. , Richard, Shambavi

Blood Cancer Discovery | July 9, 2025 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 561-571

10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-24-0354 Get It

Abstract Teclistamab is an anti-CD3-/B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) bispecific antibody approved for use in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. We undertook a retrospective study of post-approval, real-world outcomes with teclistamab in the US Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium. Among 509 patients, 89% would have been ineligible for the MajesTEC-1 trial, primarily due to prior BCMA-directed therapy, cytopenias, or diminished performance status. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 54% (1.4% grade ≥3) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome in 11% (2.2% grade ≥3), with no fatal events. Infections occurred in 42% and contributed to death in 5%. Partial response (PR) or better was achieved in 53% and very good PR or better in 45%. With 10.1 months of median follow-up, the estimated median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months and 12-month overall survival was 61%. Independent predictors of less than very good PR and shorter PFS included BCMA-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in the previous 9 months, high disease burden, lymphopenia, and elevated ferritin. Significance: T cell–engaging bispecific antibodies such as teclistamab represent an important new treatment modality for multiple myeloma and other blood cancers. This study evaluates the real-world safety and efficacy of teclistamab, including its activity in populations not represented in the initial phase I/II study, and identifies clinical variables associated with treatment response. See related commentary by Zweegman et al., p. 542
Teclistamab for patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and renal impairment
Dima, Danai , Afrough, Aimaz , Goel, Utkarsh , Grajales‐Cruz, Ariel , Khouri, Jack , Julian, Kelley , Banerjee, Rahul , Razzo, Beatrice M. , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Martinez, Mariola Alejandra Vazquez, Davis, James A. , Sannareddy, Aishwarya , Raza, Shahzad , Portuguese, Andrew J. , Gaballa, Mahmoud , Rana, Masooma , DeJarnette, Shaun, Gonzalez, Rebecca , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Hosoya, Hitomi , Ouchveridze, Evguenia, Shune, Leyla , Lin, Yi , Sborov, Douglas W. , Anderson, Larry D. , Cowan, Andrew J., Patel, Krina K. , Voorhees, Peter M. , Sidana, Surbhi , Hansen, Doris K., Susanibar-Adaniya, Sandra P. , Grajales-Cruz, Ariel F , Banerjee, Rahul , Vazquez-Martinez, Mariola A , Davis, James A , Portuguese, Andrew J , Rana, Masooma S , Lieberman-Cribbin, Alex , Chen, Anna , Herr, Megan M. , Anwer, Faiz , Sborov, Douglas W , Garfall, Alfred L , Lee, Hans C , Anderson, Larry D , Patel, Krina , Voorhees, Peter , Sidana, Surbhi , Dima, Danai , Raza, Shahzad , Hosoya, Hitomi , Julian, Kelley L , Susanibar-Adaniya, Sandra P , Pasvolsky, Oren , Vazquez‐Martinez, Mariola , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Ouchveridze, Evguenia, Kaur, Gurbakhash , Rossi, Adriana , Anwer, Faiz , Richard, Shambavi , Baz, Rachid , Garfall, Alfred L. , Lee, Hans C. , Hansen, Doris K. , Atrash, Shebli

Blood Advances | April 8, 2025 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 14 | Pages: 3408-3417

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016059 Get It

Abstract Outcomes of bispecific antibodies in patients with renal impairment (RI) are not well characterized, given the exclusion of these patients from clinical trials. Herein, we evaluated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and RI treated with standard-of-care teclistamab. RI was defined as creatinine clearance (CrCl) <40 mL/min. CrCl <30 mL/min or dialysis dependence was defined as severe RI. Of the 384 included patients, 81 (21%) had RI, including 45 (18%) with severe RI, and 18 (5%) on dialysis. Patients with RI were more likely to be older (median age, 71 vs 67 years; P = .002) and have a higher median number of previous lines of therapy (7 vs 6; P = .04). Rates and severity of cytokine release syndrome (51% vs 59%; grade ≥3: 1.2% vs 1%) and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (16% vs 13%; grade ≥3: 2.5% vs 2.6%) were similar in patients with and without RI, respectively. Patients with RI had higher baseline and day 30 post-teclistamab grade ≥3 anemia and grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Renal function did not worsen after teclistamab initiation in most patients with RI outside of the context of disease progression. Overall response rate (52% vs 56%; P = .61) and survival outcomes (median progression-free survival, 4.6 vs 6.5 months; P = .62) were comparable in patients with and without RI, respectively, after a median follow-up of 9.9 months. No differences in overall survival or non-relapse mortality were noted. Our findings suggest that treatment with teclistamab is feasible in patients with RI, including those on dialysis, with a similar safety and efficacy profile to patients without RI.
Universal driving restrictions beyond 4 weeks appear unnecessary following CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma
Banerjee, Rahul , Richards, Alicia, Midha, Shonali , Afrough, Aimaz , Anwer, Faiz , Atanackovic, Djordje , Bachanová, Veronika , Bhurtel, Jenny , Cicero, Kara I. , Davis, James A. , Dhakal, Binod , Ferreri, Christopher J. , Forsberg, Peter A. , Freeman, Ciara L. , Khouri, Jack , Kumar, Anupama, Liu, Yuxin , Mikkilineni, Lekha , Peres, Lauren C. , Purvey, Sneha , Raza, Shahzad , Sborov, Douglas W. , Shune, Leyla , Wagner, Charlotte B , Zanwar, Saurabh , Sidana, Surbhi , Patel, Krina K. , Kumar, Shaji , Lin, Yi , Martin, Thomas G. , Voorhees, Peter M. , Anderson, Larry D. , Cowan, Andrew J., Chhabra, Saurabh , Davis, James A , Dhakal, Binod , Freeman, Ciara L , Herr, Megan M. , Jain, Tania , Khouri, Jack , Kocoglu, Mehmet H , McGuirk, Joseph , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Pasvolsky, Oren , Sborov, Douglas W , Wagner, Charlotte , Zanwar, Saurabh S , Sidana, Surbhi , Patel, Krina , Kumar, Shaji K , Voorhees, Peter , Anderson, Larry D , Kaur, Gurbakhash , Bachanova, Veronika , Banerjee, Rahul , Raza, Shahzad , Anwer, Faiz , Atrash, Shebli , Beitinjaneh, Amer , Puglianini, Omar Castañeda , Chhabra, Saurabh , Dima, Danai , Jain, Tania , Janakiram, Murali , Kocoglu, Mehmet H. , Locke, Frederick L. , McGuirk, Joseph P. , Nadeem, Omar , Pasvolsky, Oren , Reshef, Ran , Richard, Shambavi , Rossi, Adriana , Hansen, Doris K. , Kaur, Gurbakhash

Blood Advances | March 15, 2025 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 2336-2340

10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016131 Get It