Weisel, Katja C

e19503 Background: The anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) belantamab mafodotin is approved in the USA and EU for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Understanding treatment options and patient outcomes following ADC failure is clinically important. This study describes post-ADC treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in real-world patients with RRMM. Methods: Adult patients with MM who received an ADC and initiated ≥1 subsequent line of therapy (LOT) were included. The index date was the start of the first post-ADC LOT. Data were obtained from chart reviews at International Myeloma Foundation International Myeloma Working Group (IMF IMWG) academic sites, and US electronic health records from largely community sites (COTA and Guardian Research Network [GRN]). Patient characteristics and index regimens were summarized descriptively. Time to next treatment (TTNT) and overall survival (OS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results: The IMF IMWG cohort (n=40) had a mean age of 70.8 years, median of 7 prior LOTs and 82.5% were triple-class refractory (TCR). Overall, 85% received ADC monotherapy (70% belantamab mafodotin) and 15% combination therapy. Pre-ADC and not considering corticosteroids, patients were commonly exposed to lenalidomide (R; 100%), bortezomib (V; 92.5%), daratumumab (D) and pomalidomide (P; 90% each). Over a median follow-up of 26 months after index date, 29 unique index post-ADC regimens were reported, frequently selinexor (27.5%) and bispecific antibodies (15%). CAR T-cell therapy was administered to 5%, with 60% re-treated with a pre-ADC drug class (PI/IMiD/anti-CD38) after ADC. Median (95% CI) TTNT and OS were 10.8 (7.0–20.6) and 19.0 (13.4–25.1) months, respectively. The COTA-GRN cohort (n=39) had a mean age of 67.5 years, median of 8 prior LOTs, and 51.3% were TCR. Overall, 56% received ADC monotherapy (belantamab mafodotin) and 44% combination therapy. Pre-ADC and not considering corticosteroids, patients were commonly exposed to D and R (97.4% each), and carfilzomib, V and P (94.9% each). Over a median follow-up of 9.2 months, 32 unique index post-ADC regimens were reported, frequently selinexor (23.1%) and venetoclax (17.9%) based; 0% received CAR Ts and 54% were re-treated with a pre-ADC drug class (PI/IMiD/anti-CD38) after ADC. Median (95% CI) TTNT and OS were 4.9 (2.8–non-estimable [NE]) and 12.0 (4.9–NE) months, respectively. Conclusions: Findings highlight that most patients with heavily pretreated BCMA-ADC exposed MM were re-treated with similar classes. Academic centers used novel therapies (ie, CAR T, bispecific antibodies) more often and their patients had longer survival than those treated at community sites. However, clinical outcomes remained sub-optimal, emphasizing the unmet need for effective, accessible post-ADC treatments.

Abstract Both the phase 3 MAIA and ALCYONE studies demonstrated significant survival benefit with the addition of daratumumab to standard-of-care Rd (Revlimid [lenalidomide] and dexamethasone; D-Rd) or to VMP (Velcade [bortezomib], melphalan, and prednisone; D-VMP), respectively, vs Rd or VMP alone in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Patients with NDMM are highly susceptible to infection; therefore, gaining a greater understanding of infection incidence may help to mitigate future risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of infection incidence, timing, and management strategies from MAIA and ALCYONE. The median (range) age of the pooled population was 72 (40-93) years. Incidence was higher with D-Rd/D-VMP vs Rd/VMP for grade 3/4 (36.9% vs 22.4%) and grade 5 (3.0% vs 1.5%) infections; however, exposure-adjusted incidence rates were generally comparable between groups. Any-grade infections led to the discontinuation of study treatment in ∼2% of patients across treatment groups. Of the timing intervals explored, the highest incidence of grade 3/4 infection occurred within the first 6-month interval of study treatment initiation in both groups. Median time to the first onset of grade 3/4 infections (per Kaplan-Meier estimates) was 83.3 months and not estimable in the D-Rd/D-VMP and Rd/VMP groups, respectively. Although the rates of D-Rd/D-VMP treatment discontinuation due to infection remained low in MAIA and ALCYONE, clinicians should remain vigilant about infections throughout treatment and follow local guidelines and International Myeloma Working Group recommendations to minimize the risk of infection. These trials were registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02252172 (MAIA) and NCT02195479 (ALCYONE).

Abstract Background: Clonotypic peptide detection by mass spectrometry (MS) leverages monoclonal protein (M-protein) de novo sequencing and peptide quantification to enable ultra-sensitive blood-based monitoring of multiple myeloma (MM) patient M-protein kinetics. Etentamig is a 2nd generation BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody that has shown promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory (RR) MM (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 43;16:suppl.7527). In the current study, we explored the depth and kinetics of MS M-protein response to etentamig monotherapy in serum samples from Phase 1 M22-466 (NCT03933735) study patients. The correlation between blood-based MS M-protein levels and bone marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity as determined by next generation sequencing (NGS) was also evaluated. Method: Clonotypic peptide MS using M-Insight (Sebia/Corgenix) was performed on serum samples from a subset of MRD evaluable patients enrolled into the Phase 1 (NCT03933735) clinical trial of etentamig monotherapy in patients with RRMM. Bone marrow MRD negativity (<10-5 and 10-6) analysis was determined by NGS (clonoSEQ, Adaptive Biotechnologies). Patient pre-treatment (Cycle [C] 1 Day [D] 1) serum samples were digested with proteolytic enzymes to permit sequencing of the M-protein heavy and light chain. Clonotypic peptides specific to the patient's complementarity-determining regions were selected for quantification by MS. Clonotypic peptide quantification by MS was performed on available tracking peripheral blood samples at C2D1, C3D1, C4D1, and C5D1 time points post etentamig monotherapy treatment. Results: Twenty patients who were MRD evaluable and treated with 40 mg and 60 mg doses of etentamig with available serum samples collected from C1D1–C5D1 time points were selected for M-Insight evaluation. Of the 20 patients, 16 (80%) had at least one clonotypic peptide identified prior to etentamig treatment that was utilized for tracking at subsequent time points. Rapid decline in MS M-protein levels was observed in patients treated with etentamig, which strongly correlated with the patients' best International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) response. At C3D1 post etentamig treatment, patients with complete response (CR)/stringent CR (n=9) demonstrated a significant decline from MS M-protein levels (median: 1.8±0.9 g/dL at C1D1 to 0.03±0.2 g/dL at C3D1) (P<0.001). All evaluable subjects (n=16) had detectable MS M-protein at all time points (n=80). The lowest detectable M-protein level observed in the current dataset was 44 mg/dL (lower limit of quantitation of assay: 10 mg/dL). Subsequent analysis of differences in kinetics between MRD-negative (<10-5) (n=8) and MRD-positive (n=8) patients revealed a deeper reduction in M-protein levels for MRD-negative patients (median 0.02±0.2 g/dL at C3D1 compared with 0.4±0.3 g/dL at C3D1 for MRD-positive patients). Among the 8 patients who achieved MRD negativity at 10-5 threshold, 5 patients also achieved <10-6 threshold, and serum MS M-protein levels remained detectable in these patients (0.07±0.2 g/dL). Conclusions: Using MS-based clonotypic peptide detection, rapid and deep decline in serum M-protein levels was observed in RRMM patients treated with etentamig. Strong concordance was observed between MS M-protein levels and IMWG response, including in patients achieving MRD-negative CR at <10-5 and 10-6thresholds. Non-invasive and ultra-sensitive M-protein detection is feasible in MM and may serve as a key biomarker for enhancing the detection of residual disease in the future.

Abstract Background Etentamig is a second-generation B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) x CD3 bispecific antibody that has shown promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Etentamig possesses a unique combination of 2 high-affinity BCMA binding domains, coupled to a low-affinity CD3 binding domain that have been shown to reduce the negative impact of soluble BCMA (sBCMA), decrease risk for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and drive sustained T-cell activation with reduced immune exhaustion in preclinical models of MM (Blood 2023;142 [suppl 1]:4666). Here, we describe correlative biomarker analyses from Phase 1 (NCT03933735) and Phase 1b (NCT05650632) clinical trials of etentamig in RRMM designed to assess the impact of sBCMA on clinical response and pharmacodynamic changes in proinflammatory cytokines, and T-cell redistribution, activation, proliferation, and exhaustion. Methods Peripheral blood and serum samples from patients with RRMM enrolled in Phase 1 and Phase 1b open-label studies who received etentamig monotherapy were collected at baseline, on treatment, and at disease progression. The Phase 1b study consisted of dose-optimization (DO) and dose-expansion (DE) phases. During DO, patients received a single step-up dose (SUD) of intravenous etentamig (2 or 4 mg) on Cycle (C) 1 Day (D) 1, followed by the target dose of 60 mg on D4. In DE, based on DO findings, patients received the recommended etentamig SUD (2 mg) on C1D1, followed by 60 mg on D4 with modified dexamethasone predosing. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for immune cell populations, Luminex® for cytokines, and electrochemiluminescence for sBCMA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) at baseline and on-treatment were subjected to single-cell Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes sequencing (scCITEseq) and single-cell T-cell receptors (scTCR) / B-cell receptors clonality analyses. Results While baseline serum sBCMA levels did not correlate with clinical response to etentamig at the selected dose level of 60 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) with 2 mg SUD, a reduction in sBCMA levels over time was associated with best International Myeloma Working Group response. Etentamig treatment led to a rapid and transient increase of proinflammatory cytokines and promoted T-cell redistribution, activation, and proliferation. Maximum reduction in peak levels of CRS-related cytokines, including (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor–a), were observed in DE compared with DO and 60 mg Q4W without SUD. Peak induction levels of proinflammatory cytokines during C1 correlated with occurrence of CRS (≥Grade [G] 1) as well as clinical response across dose levels. A modified dexamethasone premedication schedule of 2 mg/60 mg Q4W cohort for C1 resulted in significantly reduced baseline levels of IL-6 and key macrophage-associated cytokine/chemokines (eg, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 beta). Incidence of CRS was lowest in the 2 mg/60 mg Q4W cohort (26% G1, 4% G2, 0% ≥G3). Higher T-cell to myeloma cell ratio in BMMCs at baseline correlated with better response to etentamig. scCITEseq and scTCR analysis revealed that at baseline, responders also had greater CD8+ T-cell cytotoxic activities, increased TCR clonality, and elevated inflammatory signatures in T-cells from both peripheral blood and bone marrow. Etentamig at a dosage of 60 mg Q4W resulted in significant clonal expansion of CD8+ effector T-cells and enhanced gene expression signatures related to activation and cytotoxicity in both CD8+ T effector and natural killer cells. Along treatment cycles, responders maintained their T-cell fitness, high clonality, and low T-cell exhaustion levels. Frequency of baseline CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell exhaustion (programmed cell death receptor 1+/ T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 +) did not impact clinical response at optimal dose level of 2 mg/60 mg Q4W etentamig. Conclusions Responses to etentamig were independent of baseline sBCMA levels and resulted in rapid and transient proinflammatory cytokine production that promoted robust T-cell redistribution, activation, and proliferation indicating that the optimal dose of etentamig (2 mg/60 mg Q4W) maximizes its clinical potential as a convenient, safe, and effective therapy for MM.

Despite significant improvements in survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), outcomes remain heterogeneous, and a significant proportion of patients experience suboptimal outcomes. Importantly, traditional prognostic factors based on data from patients treated with older therapies no longer capture prognosis accurately in the contemporary era of novel triplet or quadruplet therapies. Therefore, risk stratification requires refinement in the context of available and investigational treatment options in routine practice and clinical trials, respectively. The current identification of high-risk MM (HRMM) in routine practice is based on the Revised International Staging System, which stratifies patients using a combination of widely available serum biomarkers and chromosomal abnormalities assessed via fluorescence in situ hybridization. In recent years, a substantial body of evidence concerning additional clinical, biological, and molecular/genomic prognostic factors has accumulated, along with new MM risk stratification tools and consensus reports. The International Myeloma Society, along with the International Myeloma Working Group, convened an Expert Panel with the primary aim of revisiting the definition of HRMM and formulating a practical and data-driven consensus definition, based on new evidence from molecular/genomic assays, updated clinical data, and contemporary risk stratification concepts. The Panel proposes the following Consensus Genomic Staging (CGS) of HRMM which relies upon the presence of at least one of these abnormalities: (1) del(17p), with a cutoff of >20% clonal fraction, and/or TP53 mutation; (2) an IgH translocation including t(4;14), t(14;16), or t(14;20) along with 1q+ and/or del(1p32); (3) monoallelic del(1p32) along with 1q+ or biallelic del(1p32); or (4) β2 microglobulin ≥5.5 mg/L with normal creatinine (<1.2 mg/dL).

e19521 Background: Blindedindependent central review (BICR) committees are often established for oncology trials to assessbestoverall response (BOR), while real-world (RW) studies typically rely on physician-assessed responses. To emulate clinical trial rigor, a BICR committee was implemented in the R5458-ONC-21101 RW data-derived external control arm study (NCT05673967) to evaluate BOR using International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. A pre-specified concordance analysis compared BOR assessments between the BICR committee and treating site physicians. Methods: RW data were obtained from chart reviews at 15 participating International Myeloma Foundation IMWG sites. The BICR committee, comprised of three multiple myeloma experts, evaluated BOR through consensus voting. Per protocol, the committee reviewed case report forms consisting of data on serum and urine myeloma protein and free light chain levels; and, where available, bone marrow plasma cell percentage, presence of plasmacytomas, and bone lesion changes. Concordance between BICR- and physician-assessed BOR was evaluated for objective response rate defined as ≥partial response (PR), ≥very good partial response (VGPR), ≥complete response (CR), and stringent complete response (sCR), with non-evaluable responses excluded from the analysis. Cohen’s kappa (κ) was used to measure agreement, with values >0.6 indicating strong concordance. 1 Results: Of 279 evaluable lines of therapy from 203 patients (Table), the BOR of ≥PR was 45.2% by BICR assessment and 42.3% by treating physicians (κ=0.622). Concordance improved for BOR of ≥VGPR (22.2% by BICR vs 24.7% by treating physicians; κ=0.731) but was low for BOR of ≥CR (3.9% vs. 10.8%; κ=0.508) and sCR (1.1% vs. 4.7%; κ=0.364). Conclusions: BICR- and physician-assessed responses showed strong concordance for BOR of ≥PR and ≥VGPR. However, as expected, lower concordance for ≥CR and sCR was observed, as evaluation of CR per IMWG criteria requires a bone marrow biopsy, which is rarely performed in clinical practice. While the reliability of CR and sCR in RW data is less certain, these results suggest that BOR of ≥VGPR or ≥PR may be reliably ascertained in academic settings based on treating physician evaluations. 1. Landis JR, Koch GG. Biometrics 1977;33(1):159–74. Clinical trial information: NCT05673967 . Agreement of BICR- and physician-assessed responses. BICR assessed Physician assessed Observed agreement, % Cohen’s kappa* Number of evaluable lines of therapy 279 279 - - ≥PR, n (%) 126 (45.2) 118 (42.3) 81.4 0.622 ≥VGPR, n (%) 62 (22.2) 69 (24.7) 90.3 0.731 ≥CR, n (%) 11 (3.9) 30 (10.8) 93.2 0.508 sCR, n (%) 3 (1.1) 13 (4.7) 96.4 0.364 *A kappa value >0.6 indicates strong concordance. 1

7527 Background: Etentamig (etenta) is a differentiated BCMA x CD3 bispecific T-cell engager composed of high avidity bivalent BCMA-binding domains, low-affinity CD3-binding domain designed to reduce cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and silenced Fc tail for extended half-life enabling convenient dosing. We present long term results from 2 ongoing Ph 1 studies evaluating efficacy and safety of etenta in patients (pts) with RRMM. Methods: Data were from a Ph 1 multicenter, open-label, dose escalation/expansion (NCT03933735) trial and Arm A of a Ph 1b, open label (NCT05650632) trial of etenta; both enrolled pts ≥18 years with RRMM, ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LoT), and triple-class exposed. Pts received 60 mg Q4W or 40 mg Q3W, both regimens with similar dose intensity, in the Ph 1 trial; pts from Arm A of the Ph 1b trial received a step-up dose (SUD) on day 1 and full dose of 60 mg Q4W on day 4. This pooled analysis assessed long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Tumor response was assessed per IMWG 2016 criteria. Results: Of 146 pts with RRMM who received etenta, 87 (60%) were male, median age (range) was 68 (40–87) years, median prior LoT were 4 (3–23), and median duration of follow-up was 13 (1–48) months (mo). ORR was achieved in 96 (66%) pts and ≥VGPR in 79 (54%) pts. Response rates across subgroups are reported in the Table. Median duration of response was not reached (NR) (NR–NR) among responders; Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimate at 12 mo was 71% (58.5%–80.5%). Median PFS (mPFS) was NR (8.7–NR) mo; KM estimate at 12 mo was 55% (44.9%–63.1%). Any grade and G3/4 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 145 (99%) pts and 116 (79%) pts. Most common G3/4 TEAEs (≥15%) were neutropenia (38%), anemia (23%), lymphopenia (25%), and thrombocytopenia (16%). Infections G3/G4 were reported in 32 (22%) pts; most common infections G3/G4 (≥5%) were pneumonia (12%) and sepsis (5%). TEAEs leading to etenta discontinuation were reported in 13 (9%) pts. Deaths from TEAEs were reported in 13 (9%) pts; 10 were not attributed to etenta treatment. In Arm A of Ph 1 study where 60mg Q4W was administered with SUD and modified dex as premedication, CRS incidence was 30% (4% G2; No ≥G3 events) with median time to CRS onset of 22.3 (5.5–29.6) hours; and median time to CRS resolution of 20.7 (1.8–131.7) hours. Conclusions: Etenta with SUD demonstrated a low CRS incidence, durable response, and tolerability in pts with heavily pretreated RRMM. Efficacy across all subgroups was comparable and maintained, suggesting therapeutic benefits among a broad population and supporting further exploration in the ongoing Ph 3 Cervino study. Subgroup ORR, n (%) ≥VGPR, n (%) mPFS, months (range) Age ≥75years 26 (72) 23 (63.9) NR (7.5–NR) Race: Black 15 (63) 13 (54.2) 13.7 (5.0–NR) High cytogenetic risk 21 (55) 18 (47.4) 7.4 (2.8–NR) 3 prior LoT 29 (64.4) 23 (51.1) 13.5 (5.6–NR) ≥4 prior LoT 67 (67) 56 (56) NR (8.3–NR)

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis final post hoc analysis evaluated patient‐reported outcomes from the Phase 3 MAIA study of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D‐Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) after median 64.5‐month follow‐up in transplant‐ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), including patient subgroups.MethodsKey scales from the EORTC QLQ‐C30 (global health status [GHS], physical functioning, pain, and fatigue) were assessed. Scores were evaluated every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months until disease progression.ResultsThe intent‐to‐treat population (n = 737) included 46.3% frail, 35.4% 70 to < 75 years old, and 43.6% ≥ 75 years old. D‐Rd‐treated patients showed improvements from baseline that were sustained over 5 years in the intent‐to‐treat population and across subgroups by age, frailty, and bone lesions. Greater proportions of patients treated with D‐Rd versus Rd achieved minimally important changes for improvement at cycle 36 (year ~3) in GHS (odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.16–2.91]), physical functioning (1.93 [1.18–3.14]), pain (1.41 [0.90–2.22]), and fatigue (2.00 [1.24–3.23]). Greater proportions of patients with bone lesions improved with D‐Rd versus Rd on GHS and physical functioning.ConclusionsIn transplant‐ineligible patients with NDMM, D‐Rd improved health‐related quality of life over a 5‐year period versus Rd. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02252172

Introduction: Recent efforts have shed light on the clinical and laboratory factors associated with toxicity and response to BCMA-directed CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, a major limitation of current scoring systems lies in their assessment at time of lymphodepletion. Because they are not determined before apheresis, they are ill-equipped to guide patient selection, anticipate level-of-care, or plan pre-emptive toxicity management strategies. We therefore aimed to characterize early predictors of CAR-T toxicity and response. Study Design: In this multicenter observational study, we examined demographic, clinical, and laboratory data across three distinct timepoints: indication (e.g., treatment decision), apheresis, and pre-lymphodepletion (LD). CRS and ICANS were graded according to ASTCT criteria. Hematotoxicity (ICAHT) was graded using EHA/EBMT criteria. Early infections (day 0-100) were defined based on microbiologic data or as a clinical infection syndrome, and graded per Hill et al, Blood 2018. Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to explore associations between pre-apheresis risk factors and key toxicity and survival outcomes. The CAR-HEMATOTOX (HT) score - encompassing markers of inflammation (e.g., CRP, ferritin) and marrow reserve (e.g., hemoglobin, ANC, platelet count) - was determined at each timepoint (Rejeski et al, Blood 2021). Results: We included 530 RRMM patients treated with standard-of-care cilta-cel (n=184) or ide-cel (n=346) across nine centers. Median age was 65 (range 31-88), median ECOG was 1 (IQR 0-1), and patients received a median of 5 prior lines of therapy (IQR 4-7). The median time from indication to apheresis was 16 days (IQR 7-52), while the median time from apheresis to infusion was 56 days (IQR 46-69). The proportion of high-risk patients by HT score did not change between the pre-apheresis and LD timepoints (19% vs. 20%, p=0.82). Most patients stayed either low-risk (n=388, 73.2%) or high-risk (n=68, 12.8%). However, 35 patients (6.6%) shifted from high-to-low risk, while 39 patients (7.4%) progressed from low-to-high risk - reflecting their response to bridging therapies. We noted considerable differences in morbidity and mortality based on the pre-apheresis HT score. Compared to their low-risk counterparts (score 0-2, n=427), high-risk patients (score ≥3, n=103) were hospitalized longer (12 vs. 15 days, p=0.009) and required more frequent ICU admissions (6% vs. 12%, p=0.05). They exhibited more severe early cytopenias (G3+: 8% vs. 25%, p&lt;0.001) and late cytopenias (G3+: 7% vs. 21%, p&lt;0.001), resulting in increased use of TPO agonists and stem cell boosts. Grade 3 or higher ICANS was also more common in HThigh patients (3% vs. 11%, p=0.006), as were severe infections (14% vs. 27%, p=0.007). We found increased non-relapsed mortality in HThigh patients (1-yr NRM 4.6% vs. 16.1%, p&lt;0.001), but no significant difference in the occurrence of secondary malignancies (p&gt;0.9). With a median follow-up of 12.4 months, HThigh patients showed inferior PFS (1-yr PFS 29% vs. 63%, p&lt;0.0001) and OS (1-yr OS 49% vs. 83%, p&lt;0.0001). Transitioning from a low-to-high score was linked to poor survival (1-yr PFS 26%), while the shift from high-to-low risk was associated with favorable outcomes (1-yr PFS 51%). In a multivariable Cox regression model of pre-apheresis features, a high HT score (aHR 2.52, p&lt;0.0001), prior anti-BCMA therapy (aHR 1.55, p=0.04), history of extramedullary disease (aHR 1.42, p=0.02), and penta-refractoriness (aHR 1.45, p=0.02) were independently associated with PFS. Notably, the presence of more than 3 of these high-risk features defined an ultra-high-risk cohort of 28 patients (5.3%) with particularly dismal survival (1-year PFS 15%). Conclusions: Leveraging granular pre-apheresis data from a large international cohort, we identify early markers of toxicity and response in CAR-T-treated RRMM patients. The HT score - reflecting baseline inflammation and hematopoietic reserve - identified high-risk patients likely to benefit from pre-emptive toxicity mitigation strategies such as prophylactic stem cell collection. Most importantly, we characterize a small yet ultra-high-risk group of RRMM patients in need of more effective bridging and therapeutic options.

Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) is considered incurable. Despite improved outcomes with novel agents, including BCMA-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and bispecific antibodies, patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) often have poor prognoses. LINKER-MM1 (NCT03761108) is a global, single-arm, Phase 1/2 study of linvoseltamab, a BCMA×CD3 bispecific antibody, in patients with RRMM who were either triple-class exposed (TCE; previously treated with a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug, and anti-CD38 antibody) during ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LOTs), or triple-class refractory to these therapies. Here, we present comparisons of clinical outcomes from LINKER-MM1 with those of a current, international, real-world (RW) external control arm (ECA; NCT05673967). Methods The ECA was derived from 16 academic sites of the International Myeloma Foundation International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) (N=203; 309 eligible LOTs) and compared with linvoseltamab (N=105; Phase 2 200 mg cohort). Patients in the ECA initiated ≥1 anti-MM therapy after meeting key LINKER-MM1 eligibility criteria. Weighted random sampling and inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to select 1 LOT per patient and balance the ECA and trial populations on prespecified prognostic factors (Kumar S, et al. IMS 2023). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR; IMWG criteria) determined by an independent central review committee (ICRC) based on myeloma laboratories. An independent data review committee reviewed comparability of cohorts and endpoint assessments prior to conducting comparative analyses. Results Median follow-up was 14.3 months for the linvoseltamab cohort (data cutoff: Jan 6, 2024) and 13.4 months for the ECA. After weighting, 15 prognostic factors were balanced between cohorts. Patients in the ECA received 68 distinct regimens, most commonly CAR T-cell therapies (11.3%) and ADCs (10.3%). After balancing the cohorts, patients in the ECA evaluable for response had ICRC-assessed ORR of 46.3% (40.8% by treating physician assessment), among whom 24.0% had very good partial response or better (≥VGPR). When including patients who died without evaluable response, ECA ICRC-assessed ORR was 44.2%. Linvoseltamab induced significantly higher ICRC-assessed ORR (69.5% vs 46.3%, odds ratio [OR] 2.65 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.66-3.69]) and rate of ≥VGPR (62.9% vs 24.0%, OR 5.37 [95% CI 3.61-8.49]) compared with ECA regimens. Conclusion Despite current use of novel therapies, there is no well-established RW standard of care (SOC) for patients with TCE RRMM treated at IMWG sites. To our knowledge, this is the first RW ECA study in MM with a high percentage of anti-BCMA therapies and response ascertainment for all patients by ICRC. Linvoseltamab induced significantly higher response rates, including rate of ≥VGPR, compared with current RW SOC therapies, highlighting its potential as a highly effective treatment in patients with TCE RRMM.