Cilta-cel or Standard Care in Lenalidomide-Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T-cell therapy, is effective in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. We investigated cilta-cel in earlier treatment lines in patients with lenalidomide-refractory disease. METHODS: In this phase 3, randomized, open-label trial, we assigned patients with lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma to receive cilta-cel or the physician's choice of effective standard care. All the patients had received one to three previous lines of treatment. The primary outcome was progression-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 419 patients underwent randomization (208 to receive cilta-cel and 211 to receive standard care). At a median follow-up of 15.9 months (range, 0.1 to 27.3), the median progression-free survival was not reached in the cilta-cel group and was 11.8 months in the standard-care group (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.38; P<0.001). Progression-free survival at 12 months was 75.9% (95% CI, 69.4 to 81.1) in the cilta-cel group and 48.6% (95% CI, 41.5 to 55.3) in the standard-care group. More patients in the cilta-cel group than in the standard-care group had an overall response (84.6% vs. 67.3%), a complete response or better (73.1% vs. 21.8%), and an absence of minimal residual disease (60.6% vs. 15.6%). Death from any cause was reported in 39 patients and 46 patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.2). Most patients reported grade 3 or 4 adverse events during treatment. Among the 176 patients who received cilta-cel in the as-treated population, 134 (76.1%) had cytokine release syndrome (grade 3 or 4, 1.1%; no grade 5), 8 (4.5%) had immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (all grade 1 or 2), 1 had movement and neurocognitive symptoms (grade 1), 16 (9.1%) had cranial nerve palsy (grade 2, 8.0%; grade 3, 1.1%), and 5 (2.8%) had CAR-T-related peripheral neuropathy (grade 1 or 2, 2.3%; grade 3, 0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: A single cilta-cel infusion resulted in a lower risk of disease progression or death than standard care in lenalidomide-refractory patients with multiple myeloma who had received one to three previous therapies. (Funded by Janssen and Legend Biotech; CARTITUDE-4 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04181827.).

Adjusted comparison of outcomes between patients from CARTITUDE-1 versus multiple myeloma patients with prior exposure to proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and anti-CD38 antibody from the prospective, multinational LocoMMotion study of real-world clinical practice.

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) is a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy studied in patients with multiple myeloma exposed to three classes of treatment in the single-arm CARTITUDE-1 study. To assess the effectiveness of cilta-cel compared to real-world clinical practice (RWCP), we performed adjusted comparisons using individual patients' data from CARTITUDE-1 and LocoMMotion, a prospective, multinational study of patients with multiple myeloma triple-class exposed of treatment. Comparisons were performed using inverse probability weighting. In CARTITUDE-1, 113 patients were enrolled, and 97 patients were infused with cilta-cel. In LocoMMotion, 248 patients were enrolled, and 170 patients were included in the comparisons versus infused patients. Ninety-two unique regimens were used in LocoMMotion, most frequently carfilzomib-dexamethasone (13.7%), pomalidomide-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (13.3%) and pomalidomidedexamethasone (11.3%). Adjusted comparisons showed that patients treated with cilta-cel were 3.12-fold more likely to respond to treatment than those managed by RWCP (response rate, 3.12, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.24-4.00), had their risk of progression or death reduced to by 85% (progression-free survival hazard ratio=0.15, 95% CI: 0.08-0.29), and a risk of death lowered by 80% (overall survival hazard ratio HR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.41). The incremental improvement in healthrelated quality of life from baseline for cilta-cel versus RWCP at week 52, as measured by EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status, was 13.4 (95% CI: 3.5-23.6) and increased to 30.8 (95% CI: 21.8-39.8) when including death as additional information regarding patients' health status. Patients treated with cilta-cel experienced more adverse events than those managed with RWCP (any grade: 100% vs. 83.5%). The results from this study demonstrate improved efficacy outcomes of cilta-cel versus RWCP and highlight its potential as a novel and effective treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma triple-class exposed of antimyeloma treatment. CARTITUDE-1 is registered with clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT03548207. LocoMMotion is registered with clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT04035226.

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: CARTITUDE-1 (phase 2) Japanese cohort.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen have shown positive responses in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The phase 2 portion of the CARTITUDE-1 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) included a cohort of Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Following a conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2 ) and fludarabine (30 mg/m2 ), patients received a single cilta-cel infusion at a target dose of 0.75 × 106 (range, 0.5-1.0 × 106 CAR-positive viable T cells/kg). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR; defined as partial response or better) by International Myeloma Working Group criteria. A key secondary endpoint was the rate of very good partial response (VGPR) or better (defined as VGPR, complete response, stringent complete response). This first analysis was performed at 6 months after the last patient received cilta-cel. Thirteen patients underwent apheresis, nine of whom received cilta-cel infusion. Eight patients who received cilta-cel at the target dose responded, yielding an ORR of 100%. Seven of eight (87.5%) patients achieved a VGPR or better. One additional patient who received a below-target dose of cilta-cel also achieved a best response of VGPR. MRD negativity (10-5 threshold) was achieved in all six evaluable patients. Eight of nine (88.9%) patients who received cilta-cel infusion experienced a grade 3 or 4 adverse event, and eight (88.9%) patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (all grade 1 or 2). No CAR-T cell neurotoxicity was reported. A positive benefit/risk profile for cilta-cel was established for heavily pretreated Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory MM.

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a B-cell maturation antigen-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-1): a phase 1b/2 open-label study.

BACKGROUND: CARTITUDE-1 aimed to assess the safety and clinical activity of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy with two B-cell maturation antigen-targeting single-domain antibodies, in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with poor prognosis. METHODS: This single-arm, open-label, phase 1b/2 study done at 16 centres in the USA enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1, who received 3 or more previous lines of therapy or were double-refractory to a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug, and had received a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug, and anti-CD38 antibody. A single cilta-cel infusion (target dose 0·75 × 106 CAR-positive viable T cells per kg) was administered 5-7 days after start of lymphodepletion. The primary endpoints were safety and confirmation of the recommended phase 2 dose (phase 1b), and overall response rate (phase 2) in all patients who received treatment. Key secondary endpoints were duration of response and progression-free survival. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03548207. FINDINGS: Between July 16, 2018, and Oct 7, 2019, 113 patients were enrolled. 97 patients (29 in phase 1b and 68 in phase 2) received a cilta-cel infusion at the recommended phase 2 dose of 0·75 × 106 CAR-positive viable T cells per kg. As of the Sept 1, 2020 clinical cutoff, median follow-up was 12·4 months (IQR 10·6-15·2). 97 patients with a median of six previous therapies received cilta-cel. Overall response rate was 97% (95% CI 91·2-99·4; 94 of 97 patients); 65 (67%) achieved stringent complete response; time to first response was 1 month (IQR 0·9-1·0). Responses deepened over time. Median duration of response was not reached (95% CI 15·9-not estimable), neither was progression-free survival (16·8-not estimable). The 12-month progression-free rate was 77% (95% CI 66·0-84·3) and overall survival rate was 89% (80·2-93·5). Haematological adverse events were common; grade 3-4 haematological adverse events were neutropenia (92 [95%] of 97 patients), anaemia (66 [68%]), leukopenia (59 [61%]), thrombocytopenia (58 [60%]), and lymphopenia (48 [50%]). Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 92 (95%) of 97 patients (4% were grade 3 or 4); with median time to onset of 7·0 days (IQR 5-8) and median duration of 4·0 days (IQR 3-6). Cytokine release syndrome resolved in all except one with grade 5 cytokine release syndrome and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. CAR T-cell neurotoxicity occurred in 20 (21%) patients (9% were grade 3 or 4). 14 deaths occurred in the study; six due to treatment-related adverse events, five due to progressive disease, and three due to treatment-unrelated adverse events. INTERPRETATION: A single cilta-cel infusion at the target dose of 0·75 × 106 CAR-positive viable T cells per kg led to early, deep, and durable responses in heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma with a manageable safety profile. The data from this study formed the basis for recent regulatory submissions. FUNDING: Janssen Research & Development and Legend Biotech.

Process, resource and success factors associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a new frontier in multiple myeloma. It is important to understand critical success factors (CSFs) that may optimize its use in this therapeutic area. Methods: We estimated the CAR-T process using time-driven activity-based costing. Information was obtained through interviews at four US oncology centers and with payer representatives, and through publicly available data. Results: The CAR-T process comprises 13 steps which take 177 days; it was estimated to include 46 professionals and ten care settings. CSFs included proactive collaboration, streamlined reimbursement and CAR-T administration in alternative settings when possible. Implementing CSFs may reduce episode time and costs by 14.4 and 13.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Our research provides a blueprint for improving efficiencies in CAR-T therapy, thereby increasing its sustainability for multiple myeloma.

Patients with multiple myeloma can now be treated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. We studied how CAR-T therapy is used for multiple myeloma. We also studied things that could help make this therapy easier for doctors to use. The CAR-T process takes 13 steps and 177 days. It begins with the choice to use the therapy and ends about 100 days after it is used. The process uses 46 different healthcare professionals and ten different locations. We found several possible changes that can improve this process. Of these changes, three stand out. First, improved teamwork between members of the care team can help them prepare for and resolve possible problems. Second, reducing insurance red tape will make it easier to provide CAR-T therapy to patients. Third, allowing use of CAR-T therapy in places other than hospitals can help more patients receive this therapy. If applied, these three things may lower the time needed to treat patients by 14.4% and may reduce costs by 13.2%.

Kaposi sarcoma, oral malformations, mitral dysplasia, and scoliosis associated with 7q34-q36.3 heterozygous terminal deletion.

Chromosome 7 germline macrodeletions have been implicated in human congenital malformations and developmental delays. We herein report a novel heterozygous macrodeletion of 7q34-q36.3 in a 16-year-old girl originally from West Indies. Similar to previously reported cases of germline chromosome 7q terminal deletions, our patient has dental malposition, and developmental (growth and intellectual) delay. Novel phenotypic features include endemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS), furrowed tongue, thoracolumbar scoliosis, and mild mitral valve dysplasia. The occurrence of human herpes virus 8-driven KS, in a child otherwise normally resistant to other infectious agents and without any other tumoral lesion, points to a very selective immunodeficiency. While defects in organogenesis have been described with such macrodeletions, this is the first report of immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition.

A Multiplex Kindred with Hennekam Syndrome due to Homozygosity for a CCBE1 Mutation that does not Prevent Protein Expression.

Collagen and calcium-binding EGF domain-containing protein 1 (CCBE1) bi-allelic mutations have been associated with syndromes of widespread congenital lymphatic dysplasia, including Hennekam Syndrome (HS). HS is characterized by lymphedema, lymphangiectasia, and intellectual disability. CCBE1 encodes a putative extracellular matrix protein but the HS-causing mutations have not been studied biochemically. We report two HS siblings, born to consanguineous parents of Turkish ancestry, whose clinical phenotype also includes protein losing enteropathy, painful relapsing chylous ascites, and hypogammaglobulinemia. We identified by whole exome and Sanger sequencing the homozygous CCBE1 C174Y mutation in both siblings. This mutation had been previously reported in another HS kindred from the Netherlands. In over-expression studies, we found increased intracellular expression of all forms (monomers, dimers, trimers) of the CCBE1 C174Y mutant protein, by Western blot, despite mutant mRNA levels similar to wild-type (WT). In addition, we detected increased secretion of the mutant CCBE1 protein by ELISA. We further found the mutant and WT proteins to be evenly distributed in the cytoplasm, by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Finally, we found a strong decrease of lymphatic vessels, with a corresponding diminished expression of CCBE1, by immunohistochemistry of the patients' intestinal biopsies. In contrast, mucosal blood vessels and muscularis mucosae showed normal CCBE1 staining. Our findings show that the mutant CCBE1 C174Y protein is not loss-of-function by loss-of-expression.

Kaposi Sarcoma of Childhood: Inborn or Acquired Immunodeficiency to Oncogenic HHV-8.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an endothelial malignancy caused by human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) infection. The epidemic and iatrogenic forms of childhood KS result from a profound and acquired T cell deficiency. Recent studies have shown that classic KS of childhood can result from rare single-gene inborn errors of immunity, with mutations in WAS, IFNGR1, STIM1, and TNFRSF4. The pathogenesis of the endemic form of childhood KS has remained elusive. We review childhood KS pathogenesis and its relationship to inherited and acquired immunodeficiency to oncogenic HHV-8.

Cilta-cel, a BCMA-targeting CAR-T therapy for patients with multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a BCMA-targeting CAR-T therapy, is approved in the United States and Europe for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and ≥1 prior line of therapy (LOT), including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug, and are lenalidomide refractory. AREAS COVERED: We examine recent long-term data in heavily pretreated RRMM (LEGEND-2, CARTITUDE-1) and earlier LOTs (CARTITUDE-4) compared with standard therapy and discuss the rationale for investigating cilta-cel as frontline therapy for transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible patients (CARTITUDE-5, CARTITUDE-6). EXPERT OPINION: CAR-T therapies can improve outcomes for patients with MM across different LOTs. CARTITUDE-1 and CARTITUDE-4 have set a new bar for efficacy, with median PFS of 34.9 months in heavily pretreated patients (CARTITUDE-1) and a 74% relative risk reduction for progression/death versus standard care in patients with 1-3 prior LOTs (CARTITUDE-4), with manageable safety. Response rates were consistent between the two studies: 98% in CARTITUDE-1 and approaching 100% for infused patients in CARTITUDE-4. Cilta-cel could be a key treatment choice for patients with RRMM after first LOT. Clinical trials investigating frontline cilta-cel therapy will provide valuable insights into optimizing treatment pathways with the aim to potentially cure MM.

Recent Advances in the Use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing T-Cell Therapies for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies have revolutionized the treatment paradigm for heavily pretreated B-cell malignancies such as large B-cell lymphoma. There is a major unmet need for effective treatments for heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), for which many CAR-T therapies are under active clinical investigation. Goal of the review: This review provides an overview of recently updated clinical trial data and indirect treatment comparison analyses regarding two clinically advanced CAR-T therapies, idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel). DISCUSSION: Recently presented data after prolonged follow-up periods for ide-cel (KarMMa) and cilta-cel (CARTITUDE-1) have demonstrated that both therapies have the potential to elicit responses in individuals with heavily pretreated RRMM. Indirect treatment comparisons between cilta-cel and ide-cel suggest cilta-cel is associated with deeper and more durable responses than ide-cel in triple class-exposed RRMM; however, these types of comparisons have limitations and direct head-to-head trials are needed to confirm these findings. Additional indirect treatment comparisons conducted separately for ide-cel and cilta-cel have demonstrated that these CAR-T therapies hold promise for substantial clinical benefit relative to currently available treatments for RRMM. Further considerations, including safety profiles and real-world treatment considerations, are also discussed. CONCLUSION: Data collected to date support CAR-T therapies holding substantial promise for patients with heavily pretreated RRMM relative to other currently available therapies. Additional real-world data will help provide further insights into the comparative efficacy and safety profiles of these treatments in RRMM as these treatments become more widely available.

Component Costs of CAR-T Therapy in Addition to Treatment Acquisition Costs in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), is a B-cell maturation antigen-directed, genetically modified autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy. It is indicated for treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after four or more prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. The objective of this study was to estimate the per-patient US commercial healthcare costs related to cilta-cel (CARVYKTI®) CAR-T therapy (i.e., costs separate from cilta-cel therapy acquisition) for patients with RRMM. METHODS: US prescribing information for cilta-cel, publicly available data, and published literature were used with clinician input to identify the cost components and unit costs associated with administration of cilta-cel. Cost components included apheresis, bridging therapy, conditioning therapy, administration, and postinfusion monitoring for 1 year of follow-up. Adverse event (AE) management costs for all grades of cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicities, and additional AEs grade ≥ 3 occurring in > 5% of patients were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The estimated per-patient average costs of cilta-cel CAR-T therapy administered exclusively in an inpatient setting, excluding cilta-cel therapy acquisition costs, totaled US$160,933 over a 12 month period. Costs assuming different proportions of inpatient/outpatient administration (85%/15% and 70%/30%) were US$158,095 and US$155,257, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cost estimates from this analysis, which disaggregates CAR-T therapy costs, provide a comprehensive view of the cost components of CAR-T therapy that can help healthcare decision-makers make informed choices regarding the use of cilta-cel. Real-world costs may differ with improved AE prevention and mitigation strategies.

Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in Patients With Prior Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in the CARTITUDE-1 Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prior allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) are typically excluded from trials of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies, because their engineered cells may include allogeneic T cells. Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) demonstrated early, deep, durable responses and manageable safety in heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. We retrospectively analyzed patients who received alloSCT prior to cilta-cel in CARTITUDE-1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients eligible for CARTITUDE-1 were ≥18 years, had ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LOT) or were double refractory to a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and had received a PI, IMiD, and anti-CD38 antibody. Patients with active graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or had alloSCT within 6 months before apheresis were excluded. Patients received cilta-cel 5 to 7 days after lymphodepletion. RESULTS: Patients (N = 7) received median 9 prior LOTs (range, 6-14); median time since alloSCT was 5.1 years (range, 2.7-6.2). At median follow-up 27.7 months after cilta-cel infusion, overall response rate was 85.7% (n = 6). The safety profile was generally consistent with patients without alloSCT as prior therapy (cytokine release syndrome, 85.7% vs. 95.6%, respectively; immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, 14.3% vs. 16.7%). One patient with prior alloSCT had grade 3 movement and neurocognitive treatment-emergent adverse events/parkinsonism. No GVHD cases were reported. Two patients died due to adverse events (treatment-related lung abscess; unrelated liver failure). CONCLUSION: Cilta-cel efficacy and safety were comparable between CARTITUDE-1 patients with and without prior alloSCT. Additional studies are needed to fully elucidate the suitability of CAR-T cell therapy in the post-alloSCT setting.

Updated results from a matching-adjusted indirect comparison of efficacy outcomes for ciltacabtagene autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 versus idecabtagene vicleucel in KarMMa for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVE: This study used the latest available data cuts from the CARTITUDE-1 and KarMMa clinical trials to update previously published matching-adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (MAICs) assessing the comparative efficacy of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) versus the FDA-approved idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) dose range of 300 to 450 × 106 CAR-positive T-cells in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who were previously treated with a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (i.e. triple-class exposed). METHODS: MAICs were performed with the latest available individual patient data for cilta-cel (CARTITUDE-1) and published summary-level data for ide-cel (KarMMa). The analyses included treated patients from CARTITUDE-1 who satisfied the eligibility criteria for KarMMa. The MAIC adjusted for unbalanced baseline covariates of prognostic significance identified in the literature and by clinical expertise. Comparative efficacy was assessed for overall response rate (ORR), complete response or better (≥CR) rate, duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Cilta-cel was associated with statistically significantly improved ORR (odds ratio [OR]: 94.93 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.86, 412.25; p < .0001]; relative risk [RR]: 1.34), ≥CR rate (OR: 5.65 [95% CI: 2.51, 12.69; p < .0001]; RR: 2.23), DoR (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.88; p = .0152]), PFS, (HR: 0.38 [95% CI: 0.24, 0.62; p < .0001]), and OS (HR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.22, 0.88; p = .0200]) compared with ide-cel. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses demonstrate improved efficacy with cilta-cel versus ide-cel for all outcomes over longer follow-up and highlight its therapeutic potential in triple-class exposed RRMM patients.

BCMA CAR-T induces complete and durable remission in refractory plasmablastic lymphoma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare subtype of aggressive large B-cell lymphoma, with a dismal prognosis despite aggressive therapies. New approaches are needed for those with refractory disease. PBL expresses antigens similar to multiple myeloma (MM), including B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy directed against BCMA has shown efficacy for the treatment of heavily pretreated MM with low rates of grades 3 and 4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in a phase Ib/II trial (A Study of JNJ-68284528, a CAR-T Directed Against BCMA in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (CARTITUDE-1), NCT03548207). However, data for the use of BCMA CAR-T for treating PBL are lacking.We report a challenging case of multiple refractory PBL that emerged from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an adolescent who failed to respond to an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. The patient developed rapidly advancing disease despite withdrawal of immunosuppression, treatment with etoposide, ibrutinib, and daratumumab, prompting consideration of BCMA CAR-T (under emergency investigational new drug (eIND)). The patient achieved a complete remission (CR), without recurrent acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), CRS or ICANS after BCMA CAR-T therapy. BCMA CAR-T expansion was detected in vivo, peaking on day 15. The patient remains in CR for more than a year post CAR-T therapy, supporting consideration of immunotherapy for future patients with refractory PBL, a disease with few treatment options.

Patient Perceptions Regarding Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel Treatment: Qualitative Evidence From Interviews With Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the CARTITUDE-1 Study.

INTRODUCTION: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a novel chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, has demonstrated early, deep, and durable clinical responses in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), and improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in CARTITUDE-1 (NCT03548207). Patient perspectives on treatment provide context to efficacy outcomes and are an important aspect of therapeutic evaluation. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted in a subset of CARTITUDE-1 patients (n = 36) at screening, Day 100, and Day 184 post cilta-cel on living with MM, therapy expectations, and treatment experiences during the study. RESULTS: Patients most wanted to see change in symptoms with the greatest impact on HRQoL: pain (85.2%) and fatigue (74.1%). The primary treatment expectation was achieving remission (40.7%), followed by extended life expectancy (14.8%). Patients most often defined meaningful change as improvement in symptoms (70.4%) and return to normalcy (40.7%). The percentage of patients reporting symptoms (pain, fatigue, bone fracture, gastrointestinal, neuropathy, and weakness) decreased from 85.2% to 22.2% across symptom types at baseline to 29.2% to 0% on Day 184 after cilta-cel. Improved symptoms and positive sentiments corresponded with improved perception of overall health status and reduced pain level, respectively. Most patients reported that their expectations of cilta-cel treatment had been met (70.8%) or exceeded (20.8%) at Day 184, and 70.8% of patients considered cilta-cel therapy better than their previous treatments. CONCLUSION: Overall HRQoL improvements and qualitative interviews showed cilta-cel met patient expectations of treatment and suggest the long treatment-free period also contributed to positive sentiments.

Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel, an Anti-B-cell Maturation Antigen Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy, for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: CARTITUDE-1 2-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: CARTITUDE-1, a phase Ib/II study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, yielded early, deep, and durable responses at 12 months. Here, we present updated results 2 years after last patient in (median follow-up [MFU] approximately 28 months), including analyses of high-risk patient subgroups. METHODS: Eligible patients had relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, had received ≥ 3 prior lines of therapy or were double refractory to a proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory drug and had received prior proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug, and anti-CD38 therapy. Patients received a single cilta-cel infusion 5-7 days after lymphodepletion. Responses were assessed by an independent review committee. RESULTS: At a MFU of 27.7 months (N = 97), the overall response rate was 97.9% (95% CI, 92.7 to 99.7); 82.5% (95% CI, 73.4 to 89.4) of patients achieved a stringent complete response. Median duration of response was not estimable. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached; 27-month PFS and OS rates were 54.9% (95% CI, 44.0 to 64.6) and 70.4% (95% CI, 60.1 to 78.6), respectively. Overall response rates were high across all subgroups (95.1%-100%). Duration of response, PFS, and/or OS were shorter in patients with high-risk cytogenetics, International Staging System stage III, high tumor burden, or plasmacytomas. The safety profile was manageable with no new cilta-cel-related cytokine release syndrome and one new case of parkinsonism (day 914 after cilta-cel) since the last report. CONCLUSION: At approximately 28 months MFU, patients treated with cilta-cel maintained deep and durable responses, observed in both standard and high-risk subgroups. The risk/benefit profile of cilta-cel remained favorable with longer follow-up.

Population-based cellular kinetic characterization of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in subjects with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The aims of this work were to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transgene after single intravenous infusion administration of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. CAR transgene level in blood were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) from 97 subjects in a phase Ib/II CARTITUDE-1 study (NCT03548207), with a targeted cilta-cel dose of 0.75 × 106 (range 0.5-1.0 × 106 ) CAR positive viable T-cells per kg body weight. The population PK model development was primarily guided by the current mechanistic understanding of CAR-T kinetics and the principles of building a parsimonious model. Cilta-cel PK was adequately described by a two-compartment model (with a fast and a slow apparent decline rate from each compartment, respectively) and a chain of four transit compartments with a lag time empirically representing the process from infused CAR-T cell to measurable CAR transgene. No apparent relationship was observed between cilta-cel dose (i.e., the actual number of CAR positive viable T-cells infused), given the narrow dose range, and the observed transgene level. Based on covariate search and subgroup analysis of maximum systemic CAR transgene level (Cmax ) and area under curve from the first dose to day 28 (AUC0-28d ), none of the investigated subjects' demographics, baseline characteristics, and manufactured product characteristics had significant effects on cilta-cel PK. The developed model is deemed robust and adequate for enabling subsequent exposure-safety and exposure-efficacy analyses.

The patient experience of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma and perspectives on emerging therapies.

BACKGROUND: Relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is a disease that is nonresponsive or progressive on therapy, and although patients can achieve remission, relapse is common. As more treatment options become available for multiple myeloma (MM), it is important to understand patients' experiences of current and emerging therapies. AIMS: This study aimed to better understand patient experiences with treatment and therapies for MM using qualitative interviews and patient-reported information (PRI) shared on social media. METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with adults with RRMM who resided in the United States. In addition to the interviews, PRI was collected from YouTube and a patient advocacy website. Key themes from the interviews and PRI were summarized, and illustrative quotes were extracted. RESULTS: Twenty participants were interviewed; 11 were female, and mean (standard deviation) age was 60 (7.0) years. The PRI included 14 posts and 19 unique contributors (10 were female). Similar treatment-related symptoms were reported in the interviews and PRI. Fatigue and pain were the most frequently reported symptoms while receiving treatment in both the interviews and PRI. These symptoms had a meaningful impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL); being off treatment and returning to normal living was described as an ideal treatment outcome. Nearly all interview participants (n = 18) preferred a treatment that would allow for a treatment-free interval, if it had the same efficacy and safety profile as a continuous treatment. CONCLUSION: The symptom experience reported in this study is consistent with known RRMM symptoms and HRQOL impacts. Additionally, this study highlighted that patients' treatment expectations are changing relative to their past treatment experience. Individuals living with RRMM strongly desire therapies with a treatment-free interval and minimal impact on their HRQOL.

Comprehensive BCMA Expression Profiling in Adult Normal Human Brain Suggests a Low Risk of On-target Neurotoxicity in BCMA-targeting Multiple Myeloma Therapy.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a target for the treatment of multiple myeloma with cytolytic therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cells or T-cell redirecting antibodies. To better understand the potential for "on-target/off-tumor" toxicity caused by BCMA-targeting cytolytic therapies in the brain, we investigated normal brain BCMA expression. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay using the E6D7B commercial monoclonal antibody was applied to 107 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain samples (cerebrum, basal ganglia, cerebellum, brainstem; 63 unique donors). Although immunoreactivity was observed in a small number of neurons in brain regions including the striatum, thalamus, midbrain, and medulla, this immunoreactivity was considered nonspecific and not reflective of BCMA expression because it was distinct from the membranous and Golgi-like pattern seen in positive control samples, was not replicated when a different IHC antibody (D6 clone) was used, and was not corroborated by in situ hybridization data. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from 478 donors in the GTEx and Allen BrainSpan databases demonstrated low levels of BCMA RNA expression in the striatum of young donors with levels becoming negligible beyond 30 years of age. We concluded that BCMA protein is not present in normal adult human brain, and therefore on-target toxicity in the brain is unlikely.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Treatment Comparison to Assess the Comparative Efficacy of Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 Versus Belantamab Mafodotin in DREAMM-2, Selinexor-Dexamethasone in STORM Part 2, and Melphalan Flufenamide-Dexamethasone in HORIZON for the Treatment of Patients With Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: This study estimated the comparative efficacy of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; CARTITUDE-1), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy, versus 3 non-CAR-T therapies (belantamab mafodotin [DREAMM-2], selinexor plus dexamethasone [STORM Part 2], and melphalan flufenamide plus dexamethasone [HORIZON]), each with distinct mechanisms of action, for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who were triple-class exposed to an immunomodulatory drug, proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pairwise matching-adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (MAICs) were conducted using patient-level data for cilta-cel from CARTITUDE-1 and summary level data for each comparator (2.5 mg/kg cohort in DREAMM-2, modified intention-to-treat population in STORM Part 2, and triple-class refractory patients in HORIZON). Treated patients from CARTITUDE-1 who satisfied the eligibility of the comparator trial were included. MAICs adjusted for imbalances in important prognostic factors between CARTITUDE-1 and the comparator populations. Comparative efficacy of cilta-cel versus each therapy was estimated for overall response rate, complete response or better rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: After adjustment, patients treated with cilta-cel demonstrated at least a 3.1-fold and at least a 10.3-fold increase in the likelihood of achieving an overall response or complete response or better, respectively, at least a 74% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, and at least a 47% reduction in the risk of death. These results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cilta-cel showed improved efficacy over each comparator for all outcomes, demonstrating its potential as an efficacious treatment for patients with triple-class exposed RRMM.