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Early Results of Investigational Bispecific Antibody for Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Researchers have reported encouraging early results for LBL-034, a new type of immune-based therapy being studied in people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In a first-in-human clinical trial, this treatment showed high response rates and manageable side effects, even in patients whose disease had stopped responding to multiple prior therapies .
This small clinical trial was presented during the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in December and highlights a potential new option for people facing limited treatment choices.
What is LBL-034?
LBL-034 is an investigational bispecific antibody, a type of therapy designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more precisely.
It works by connecting T cells, which are immune cells that kill cancer, and myeloma cells that carry a target called GPRC5D, a protein commonly found on multiple myeloma cells.
By bringing these cells together, LBL-034 helps activate the immune system only when cancer cells are present, which may reduce damage to healthy cells .
How does this treatment work differently from other immune therapies?
LBL-034 was designed to be “conditionally activated.” This means T cells are turned on mainly when they are close to myeloma cells.
The study authors report that this design may:
- Lower the risk of excessive immune activation
- Reduce severe inflammatory side effects
- Allow higher, more effective doses to be given safely
Who took part in the clinical trial?
The ongoing phase I/II trial (NCT06049290) enrolled adults with advanced multiple myeloma who had already received many treatments. Patient characteristics included:
- A median of 5 prior lines of therapy
- Nearly 70% had disease exposed to three major drug classes
- Some had received stem cell transplant or BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy
- About one-quarter had extramedullary disease, a harder-to-treat form of myeloma
LBL-034 showed strong dose-dependent activity
Key outcomes include an overall response rate (ORR) of 70.9%, higher doses leading to deeper and faster responses , and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity was seen in 84.2% of patients who achieved a complete response. MRD is a highly sensitive test that detects the presence of myeloma cells in the bone marrow, if the test is negative, it means there were no myeloma cells found.
Importantly, strong responses were also seen in people with difficult-to-treat disease, including those previously treated with BCMA-directed therapies.
What side effects were reported?
Quality-of-life related effects like taste changes, nail changes, or skin issues were generally mild and manageable. The most frequent severe side effects involved blood counts, such as:
- Low white blood cells
- Low platelets
- Anemia
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), but it was mild to moderate and no-life-threatening cases were reported
While longer follow-up is still needed, these findings support continued development of LBL-034
People with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma often run out of effective treatment options over time. These early results suggest that LBL-034 may offer:
- High response rates in heavily pretreated patients
- A new option after trying advanced therapies that failed
- A safety profile that allows ongoing treatment
What happens next?
The trial is ongoing, and researchers plan to present updated results, including longer follow-up on disease control and safety. LBL-034 is not yet approved and remains available only through clinical trials.
What this means for patients
Clinical trials continue to expand the treatment landscape, bringing new immune-based options closer to everyday care.
Staying informed and discussing emerging therapies with your care team can help you make empowered decisions about next steps. You are not out of options, and progress is still being made, one study at a time.
Explore more treatment advances and updates at the HealthTree news site
Find more clinical trials suited to your individual characteristics with our Clinical Trial Finder.
Researchers have reported encouraging early results for LBL-034, a new type of immune-based therapy being studied in people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In a first-in-human clinical trial, this treatment showed high response rates and manageable side effects, even in patients whose disease had stopped responding to multiple prior therapies .
This small clinical trial was presented during the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in December and highlights a potential new option for people facing limited treatment choices.
What is LBL-034?
LBL-034 is an investigational bispecific antibody, a type of therapy designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more precisely.
It works by connecting T cells, which are immune cells that kill cancer, and myeloma cells that carry a target called GPRC5D, a protein commonly found on multiple myeloma cells.
By bringing these cells together, LBL-034 helps activate the immune system only when cancer cells are present, which may reduce damage to healthy cells .
How does this treatment work differently from other immune therapies?
LBL-034 was designed to be “conditionally activated.” This means T cells are turned on mainly when they are close to myeloma cells.
The study authors report that this design may:
- Lower the risk of excessive immune activation
- Reduce severe inflammatory side effects
- Allow higher, more effective doses to be given safely
Who took part in the clinical trial?
The ongoing phase I/II trial (NCT06049290) enrolled adults with advanced multiple myeloma who had already received many treatments. Patient characteristics included:
- A median of 5 prior lines of therapy
- Nearly 70% had disease exposed to three major drug classes
- Some had received stem cell transplant or BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy
- About one-quarter had extramedullary disease, a harder-to-treat form of myeloma
LBL-034 showed strong dose-dependent activity
Key outcomes include an overall response rate (ORR) of 70.9%, higher doses leading to deeper and faster responses , and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity was seen in 84.2% of patients who achieved a complete response. MRD is a highly sensitive test that detects the presence of myeloma cells in the bone marrow, if the test is negative, it means there were no myeloma cells found.
Importantly, strong responses were also seen in people with difficult-to-treat disease, including those previously treated with BCMA-directed therapies.
What side effects were reported?
Quality-of-life related effects like taste changes, nail changes, or skin issues were generally mild and manageable. The most frequent severe side effects involved blood counts, such as:
- Low white blood cells
- Low platelets
- Anemia
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), but it was mild to moderate and no-life-threatening cases were reported
While longer follow-up is still needed, these findings support continued development of LBL-034
People with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma often run out of effective treatment options over time. These early results suggest that LBL-034 may offer:
- High response rates in heavily pretreated patients
- A new option after trying advanced therapies that failed
- A safety profile that allows ongoing treatment
What happens next?
The trial is ongoing, and researchers plan to present updated results, including longer follow-up on disease control and safety. LBL-034 is not yet approved and remains available only through clinical trials.
What this means for patients
Clinical trials continue to expand the treatment landscape, bringing new immune-based options closer to everyday care.
Staying informed and discussing emerging therapies with your care team can help you make empowered decisions about next steps. You are not out of options, and progress is still being made, one study at a time.
Explore more treatment advances and updates at the HealthTree news site
Find more clinical trials suited to your individual characteristics with our Clinical Trial Finder.
about the author
Jimena Vicencio
Jimena is an International Medical Graduate and a member of the HealthTree Writing team. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism, she combines her medical background with a storyteller’s heart to make complex healthcare topics accessible to everyone. Driven by a deep belief that understanding health is a universal right, she is committed to translating scientific and medical knowledge into clear, compassionate language that empowers individuals to take control of their well-being.
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