Researchers report early success with an antibody therapy called linvoseltamab for the blood cancer multiple myeloma. The phase 2 trial was led by Dickran Kazandjian with C. Ola Landgren. The study enrolled 25 patients at Sylvester and its satellite sites.
Eighteen participants completed up to six cycles of linvoseltamab. Doctors used very sensitive bone marrow tests that can find one cancer cell in a million normal cells. None of the 18 who finished treatment had detectable disease on those tests. Some patients had side effects such as low white blood cells and upper respiratory infections, but investigators described the safety as acceptable. The team will expand enrollment to 50 people and conduct larger studies to learn more.
Difficult words
- antibody — a protein made by the immune system
- therapy — treatment to help a medical problem
- multiple myeloma — a cancer of plasma cells in blood
- trial — a medical study testing a new treatmentphase 2 trial
- enroll — to put people into a studyenrolled
- detectable — able to be found by a test
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you join a trial of a new cancer treatment? Why or why not?
- What worries would you have about possible side effects?
- Why is it important that tests can find one cancer cell in a million?
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