New Talquetamab Combos Show Promise for Longer-Lasting Myeloma Control | Jeffrey Matous, MD

So my name is Doctor Jeff Matous, and I am a physician at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute in Denver, Colorado. We’re part of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute.

At this meeting, we were able to provide an update on a study called Monumental-2. This study looked at combinations with a GPRC5D×CD3 bispecific antibody called talquetamab in combination with pomalidomide. Talquetamab is FDA approved, and the experimental question was whether combining it with pomalidomide would improve outcomes.

We initially presented this two years ago at ASH, and the results were extremely encouraging. Response rates were phenomenal, with almost nine out of ten patients responding very favorably to the combination.

At this meeting, we have longer follow-up data. Tracking these patients over time shows that the response rate is still very high, in the 90% range. Many of these responses are of very high quality, meaning complete disappearance of multiple myeloma on normal lab tests. This is fabulous to see for patients.

Not only are the responses strong, but they also last a long time. At three years, almost all the patients who responded are still responding, and many have not needed any additional treatments.

When we studied these patients longer, we also found that no additional unusual side effects occurred. Patients did not have to stop treatment due to side effects, even with longer-term follow-up. This demonstrates that the regimen is both efficacious and well-tolerated.

In myeloma, our goals are long survival and excellent quality of life. This regimen looks really encouraging in both respects. It is now being compared to existing standard-of-care regimens in a phase three trial. Half the patients will receive talquetamab plus pomalidomide, and the other half will receive the current standard-of-care treatment.

Stay tuned for those results.

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