Opinion

Video

Understanding the Role of BCMA-Targeted CAR-T Therapies in R/R MM

Noopur Raje, MD discusses the rationale for utilizing BCMA-targeted CAR-T cell therapy in myeloma patients and uncover the similarities and differences when compared to BCMA bispecific.

This is a video synopsis/summary of an OncLive® Post-Conference Perspective involving Rafat Abonour, MD, and Noopur Raje, MD.

Raje explains the rationale for using B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)–targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. She notes that BCMA is expressed on nearly all plasma cells and very late B cells, and laboratory evidence suggests it is an important growth/survival factor for myeloma cells. Given its restricted expression, BCMA makes an ideal antigen target for T cell–redirected therapies.

Both BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell products, idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel, are now FDA approved for patients after at least 4 prior lines of therapy. Two BCMA-targeted bispecific T-cell engagers, teclistamab and elranatamab, are also now approved.

CAR T-cell therapy involves collecting a patient’s lymphocytes, genetically modifying them to express a CAR targeting BCMA, and reinfusing the cells. This personalized approach takes 4 to 6 weeks. In contrast, bispecifics are off-the-shelf antibodies with 2 arms: one targeting BCMA on tumor cells and one targeting CD3 on T cells to bring them in close proximity and trigger tumor cell killing. Both treatment modalities yield deep and durable responses.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by OncLive® editorial staff.

Related Videos
Douglas W. Sborov, MD, MS
Meletios (Thanos) Dimopoulos, MD, professor, therapeutics, Hematology Oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine
Michel Delforge, MD, PhD
Ashraf Z. Badros, MBCHB, professor, medicine, Medical Oncology, Hematology Oncology, University of Maryland Medical System
Binod Dhakal, MD
Michel Delforge, MD, PhD, professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology, director, member, Leuven Cancer Institute, member, Senior Academic Staff, Council of the Faculty of Medicine, Council of the Department of Oncology, University Hospital Leuven, University of Leuven
Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, FACP
Meletios A. Dimopoulos, MD
Binod Dhakal, MD
In this final episode of OncChats: Optimizing the Use of Bispecific Antibodies in Myeloma and Beyond, Drs Usmani and Wasil, discuss plans for developing guidelines and policies to enhance management of bispecific T-cell engagers across various centers.