Cilta-cel yields universal MRD-negativity, prevents progression in SMM
According to data from the phase 2 CAR-PRISM trial presented at the 2026 American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting, a single infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel, without induction or bridging therapy, resulted in minimal residual disease-negativity in all 20 patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. None of the patients experienced progression to active myeloma, at a median follow-up of 15.3 months. These findings were published in Nature Medicine.

IMS-IMWG high-risk MM criteria validated and refined in CAR-T therapy recipients
A report published in Blood Cancer Journal outlined retrospective validation of the IMS-IMWG high-risk MM (HRMM) criteria in 158 patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) who received anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. The HRMM criteria, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2025, identified patients with significantly shorter progression-free and overall survival. The report also proposed a refined version of the HRMM criteria for improved risk stratification.

FDA extends review period for isatuximab on-body injector
Subcutaneous isatuximab delivered via an on-body injector (OBI) received a recommendation for approval from the European Medicines Agency in March 2026, based on data from the phase 3 IRAKLIA study. The US FDA, which is currently reviewing a Biological License Application for the isatuximab OBI, has extended the review period, setting a new Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of July 23, 2026.

IVIG mitigates infection risk and severity in daratumumab recipients
Daratumumab-treated patients with MM who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the year preceding daratumumab had a 47% lower frequency of all-grade infections and 70% lower grade 3–4 infections, compared to those who did not receive IVIG. These findings from a retrospective analysis were reported in Haematologica.

Prevalence of CNS involvement is increasing in MM in the United States
While CNS involvement in MM is rare, at around 1%, the prevalence has increased over the past six years, to 2%–3%, among US patients. CNS-involved MM prevalence outpaced the corresponding increase in overall MM prevalence, according to an epidemiological study published in Clinical Lymphoma Leukemia & Multiple Myeloma.

Review explores the association between diabetes and risk of MM
Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased risk of several cancers, but the impact of this condition on MM risk is less clear. A review in Blood Cancer Journal examines the association between type 2 diabetes and MM risk and outcomes.

Report outlines vestibular symptoms associated with talquetamab
Talquetamab, a bispecific antibody targeting GPRC5D and CD3, has been approved in several countries for treating heavily pretreated patients with RRMM. In addition to cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and infection risk, talquetamab is associated with oral, skin, and nail-related toxicities. A report in Blood Advances describes five cases of talquetamab recipients who developed vestibular symptoms, including vertigo, blurred vision, and ataxia.