Should Everyone Get CAR-T at First Relapse in Multiple Myeloma? EMPOWER Consortium Data | IMS 2026

Rafael Fonseca, MD, of Mayo Clinic Arizona discusses early real-world data on cilta-cel CAR-T from the EMPOWER consortium at IMS 2026 in Glasgow. He explains that response rates outside of clinical trials held up and were comparable to trial results. He also shares why he favors CAR-T at first relapse, when disease burden is lower, both for effectiveness and because lower disease burden may reduce the risk of longer-term side effects.

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Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction: Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Mayo Clinic Arizona
0:10 Real-World Data from the EMPOWER Consortium
0:33 Cilta-Cel Response Rates Match Clinical Trials
1:27 Why CAR-T at First Relapse Makes Sense
1:56 Managing Toxicity Risk With Bridging Therapy