Researchers report early, encouraging results from a phase 2 trial of linvoseltamab for multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that can damage normal blood cells. The US National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 192,000 Americans were living with the disease in 2022 and that this year 36,000 new cases will be diagnosed. Dickran Kazandjian led the trial, presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting in Orlando, and worked with C. Ola Landgren.
The trial enrolled 25 patients at Sylvester and its satellite sites in Coral Gables and Deerfield Beach. Eighteen people completed up to six cycles of treatment. Linvoseltamab is a bispecific antibody that binds CD3 on T cells and BCMA on myeloma cells, linking T cells to cancer cells to boost the immune response. Doctors used bone marrow tests able to detect one cancer cell among a million normal cells; none of the 18 had detectable disease on those tests.
Some patients experienced side effects such as neutropenia and upper respiratory infections, but investigators described the safety profile as acceptable. The team took steps to prevent cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and no patients in the study experienced those reactions. Researchers are expanding enrollment to 50 participants, and larger, longer studies are needed to see whether linvoseltamab gives more durable control or a functional cure.
Difficult words
- multiple myeloma — a cancer of the plasma cells
- plasma cell — a type of blood cell that makes antibodiesplasma cells
- bispecific antibody — a protein that binds two different targets
- bone marrow — soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells
- detectable — able to be found by a medical test
- neutropenia — a low number of a type of white blood cell
- cytokine release syndrome — a strong immune reaction that can be dangerous
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What concerns would you have about side effects such as neutropenia?
- Why do researchers need larger and longer studies after this phase 2 trial?
- How could linking T cells to cancer cells help the patient's immune system?
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