Myeloma Expert: Earlier Use of Bispecifics Can Improve Patient Outcomes
As the potential grows to use emerging bispecifics in earlier lines of myeloma therapy, so does the potential to induce better patient outcomes, said Kirollos Hanna, PharmD.
According to Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, director of pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology, bispecifics emerging within the myeloma landscape are very exciting, especially following the success of teclistamab-cqyv (Tecvayli).
“When you look at the success of teclistamab-cqyv and multiple myeloma, one important thing to highlight is that we really haven’t seen patients with myeloma achieve that degree of response, such as with teclistamab-cqyv, since daratumimab (Darzalex) was first incorporated into the myeloma armamentarium," said Hanna.
In a conversation with Drug Topics at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association 2024 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida, Hanna addressed trends associated with the integration of new therapies in treatment lines of patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma, as well as what the future may look like for the use of bispecifics in this space.
“Today, we’re using [daratumumab] in front line, transplant eligible, and transplant ineligible patient [populations] because it has made a significant dent in the outcomes for this disease,” said Hanna. “The exact same trend is likely expected with the [bispecific antibodies] in myeloma: teclistamab, even [talquetamab-tgvs (Talvey)], as well as elranatamab (Elrexfio). That’s the normal trajectory of drugs in myeloma: a drug gets approved [and is used in] a penta-refractory population, it gets combined with something else—and you even see better degrees of responses, more durable responses—and then we slowly start to transition these therapeutics into earlier lines of the disease because of the benefit.”
What’s important to consider within the myeloma landscape, Hanna added, is patient attrition. Due to disease progression, age, and side effects of therapy associated with myeloma, many patients abandon treatment. However, as the potential grows to use emerging bispecifics in earlier lines of therapy, so does the potential to induce better patient outcomes.
“The bispecifics are very exciting, and within myeloma, I’m expecting that we’re likely going to be seeing these in earlier lines of therapy,” concluded Hanna.
Read more of our coverage from the HOPA 2024 Annual Conference here.
