FDA grants Priority Review to iberdomide combination for RRMM
The US FDA has granted Priority Review for a New Drug Application (NDA) for iberdomide in combination with daratumumab and dexamethasone, as a treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The iberdomide-daratumumab-dexamethasone combination was evaluated in the phase 3 EXCALIBER-RRMM trial.

IMS-IMWG high-risk criteria predict outcomes with daratumumab quadruplets
Studies have been validating the IMS-IMWG high-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM) definition, published in 2025, in different datasets representing patients treated in France and the United States. In an article in Blood Advances, first author Kylee Maclachlan, MBBCh, PhD, and colleagues validated the IMS-IMWG HRMM criteria in over 500 patients. In their analysis, Dr. Maclachlan, a 2023 IMS/Riney Foundation Translational Research Awardee, and colleagues report inferior survival for high-risk patients despite achieving MRD-negativity after treatment with daratumumab quadruplets.

Real-world outpatient teclistamab step-up dosing is feasible
Bispecific T-cell engagers approved for treating patients with myeloma are administered using a step-up dosing (SUD) schedule, typically with inpatient monitoring. Limited experience with bispecifics in real-world/community practice and inpatient monitoring requirements may limit access to these agents. A study published in Current Medical Research and Opinion showed that outpatient teclistamab SUD is feasible for appropriately selected patients with RRMM. The study also outlines practical considerations around outpatient bispecific SUD.

Baseline cardiac profiles can inform risk stratification and outcome prediction
A report published in Leukemia describes the development and validation of  MyCARdiac score, a composite score derived from routine echocardiographic, computed tomography, and NT-proBNP assessments. MyCARdiac score improved baseline risk stratification in patients treated with cilta-cel, enabling identification of a high-risk subset with poor outcomes.

Venetoclax-controlled switch can disengage CAR-T cells from tumor cells
Novel approaches for deploying/modulating CAR-T cell activity are being explored to improve safety while also maintaining/augmenting therapeutic efficacy. A report in Nature Chemical Biology outlines the design and translational potential of a novel CAR design, which incorporates a protein–protein interaction module that can be disrupted using venetoclax. Preclinical analyses showed that the venetoclax-controlled switch can turn off the anti-tumor activity of the CAR-T cells.

Loss of multiple antigens in hepta-refractory myeloma
Whole-genome sequencing-based analyses uncovered sequential loss of CD38, BCMA, and GPRC5D in patients with hepta-refractory myeloma — disease that relapses/is refractory to anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, two immunomodulatory drugs, two proteasome inhibitors, and both BCMA- and GPRC5D-directed immunotherapies. These findings were published in Leukemia.