Dr Jagannath on the Potential Utility of Linvoseltamab in R/R Multiple Myeloma

Sundar Jagannath, MBBS, director, Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma, professor, medicine (hematology and medical oncology), The Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai, discusses the potential utility of treatment with linvoseltamab in patients with triple-class–exposed, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Notably, in a matching-adjusted indirect comparison study, linvoseltamab was compared with teclistamab-cqyv (Tecvayli) in patients with this disease, and findings presented at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. Investigators reported that linvoseltamab may provide greater efficacy for patients compared with teclistamab for all outcomes, highlighting its potential as a highly effective treatment option.

The FDA is expected to make a decision regarding the potential approval of linvoseltamab for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, Jagannath begins. This agent is a fully human bispecific antibody designed with patient convenience and safety in mind, Jagannath says. The administration regimen is carefully structured to maximize patient outcomes and minimize risks, according to Jagannath. Initially, linvoseltamab is given more frequently, but a unique aspect of this regimen is that after 6 months, patients who achieve a complete response (CR) or very good partial response (VGPR) have their dosing frequency reduced to once a month, Jagannath explains. This reduction in dosing frequency is particularly important as it correlates with a decreased risk of infection, which is a significant concern with many treatments, he reports.

In the first week of dosing, the drug is administered on day 1 and day 8, with only a 24-hour hospitalization required for monitoring, Jagannath continues. This minimal hospitalization requirement during the step-up dosing phase underscores the thoughtful design of the drug’sadministration protocol, which prioritizes patient comfort and safety, he states.

Moreover, after the initial 14 weeks of treatment, the dosing frequency is further reduced to every 2 weeks, he continues. By the 6-month mark, patients who have achieved CR or VGPR move to a maintenance phase where the drug is administered once every 4 weeks. This extended dosing interval is convenient for patients and is associated with a dramatic reduction in infection rates, highlighting the compound’s favorable safety profile as demonstrated in clinical trials, Jagannath explains. Linvoseltamab, therefore, offers a promising combination of efficacy and safety, with a well-considered administration schedule that could greatly benefit patients, he concludes.