logo
episode-header-image
Oct 15
52m 16s

Episode 66. International Myeloma Societ...

Rajshekhar Chakraborty, Ashwin Kishtagari, and Edward Cliff
About this episode

This episode provides comprehensive coverage of key clinical trial updates from the 2025 International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting in Toronto, with special focus on bispecific antibodies and novel immunotherapies across the multiple myeloma disease continuum—from smoldering disease through relapsed/refractory settings. Dr. Alfred Garfall provides expert commentary on study design, efficacy, safety considerations, and clinical implications.


Topics Covered


1. SMOLDERING MULTIPLE MYELOMA


LINKER-SMM1

Phase 2, open-label study of linvoseltamab monotherapy (200 mg) in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma by 20/2/20 or PETHEMA criteria, with 2-year treatment duration.

Discussion Points:

  • Appropriateness of 2-year treatment duration for precursor condition
  • Efficacy and MRD-negative rates
  • Safety considerations in asymptomatic population
  • Patient selection if available today


2. NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA


MajesTEC-5

Phase 2 trial evaluating three teclistamab-daratumumab-based induction regimens in 49 transplant-eligible NDMM patients, followed by auto-transplant and fixed-duration Tec-Dara maintenance.

Discussion Points:

  • Post-induction MRD-negativity rates with Tec-DR and Tec-DVR
  • Grade 3-5 infection rates and infection-related deaths
  • Questionable utility of bortezomib and need for ASCT with 100% MRD-negativity
  • High infection prophylaxis requirements


MagnetisMM-6

Phase 1/2 dose-finding study of fixed-dose elranatamab 76 mg Q4W with Dara-Len in 37 transplant-ineligible NDMM patients (median age 75 years).

Discussion Points:

  • VGPR or better rates
  • Safety profile including infections and CRS/ICANS
  • Risk of continuous therapy in elderly/frail population


LINKER-MM4

Phase 1/2 study of linvoseltamab monotherapy in NDMM with both transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible pathways, exploring three dose levels (50, 100, 200 mg).

Discussion Points:

  • Efficacy of single-agent Linvo in NDMM
  • Whether any NDMM population could achieve long-term control with single-agent BCMA BsAb
  • Safety profile


3. RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA


CAMMA-1

Phase 1b randomized dose-expansion study of cevostamab (FcRH5×CD3 bispecific) combined with pomalidomide-dexamethasone in BCMA-naïve patients with median 2 prior lines of therapy.

Discussion Points:

  • Efficacy and safety results
  • Positioning in treatment paradigm
  • Use before BCMA BsAbs?


Sonrotoclax + Dexamethasone in t(11;14) R/R MM

Phase 1/2 study of sonrotoclax (next-generation BCL2 inhibitor) plus dexamethasone as an all-oral regimen in patients with t(11;14) R/R MM (median 3 prior lines, ~75% triple-exposed).

Discussion Points:

  • Efficacy including response rate and PFS
  • Safety profile
  • Future of BCL2 inhibitors in t(11;14) myeloma in the era of BsAbs and CAR T


RedirecTT-1

Phase 2 trial combining teclistamab + talquetamab in 90 heavily pretreated patients with R/R extraosseous extramedullary disease (84% triple-class refractory, 36% penta-refractory, 20% prior BCMA CAR T).

Discussion Points:

  • Response rate and durability in difficult-to-treat population
  • Safety concerns with dual bispecific combination
  • Off-label use considerations


4. CAR T-CELL THERAPY TOXICITIES


CAR T Immune-Related Adverse Events (UPenn Study - Ho et al)

Large cohort study of 198 patients (125 cilta-cel, 73 ide-cel) examining all adverse events other than CRS, ICANS, IEC-HS, and IECAHT.

Discussion Points:

  • Landscape of CAR T IRAEs: incidence, types, and timing
  • Risk factors identified for CirAEs
  • Mechanism of toxicities and role of CD4+ CAR T-cells
  • Clinical implications: Should prophylactic corticosteroids be used? What ALC threshold? Optimal dose/duration? Prospective studies needed?
Up next
Sep 24
Episode 65. Circulating Tumor DNA in DLBCL with Dr. Ash Alizadeh and Dr. David Russler-Germain
In this episode of Blood Cancer Talks, hosts Eddie, Ashwin, and Raj welcome two distinguished experts to explore the cutting-edge field of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in B-cell lymphomas. Dr. David Russler-Germain, a lymphoma clinician from Siteman Cancer Centre at Washington U ... Show More
53m 8s
Aug 20
Episode 64. Lymphoma Updates from EHA and ICML 2025 with Dr. Adrian Minson
In this episode of Blood Cancer Talks, we have Dr. Adrian Minson from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discuss the latest developments in lymphoma presented at the recent EHA and ICML meetings in June 2025. The episode focuses primarily on the emerging role of bispecific anti ... Show More
43m 3s
Jul 2025
Episode 63. Management of Follicular Lymphoma with Dr. Gilles Salles
In this episode, we discuss the management of follicular lymphoma with Dr. Gilles Salles from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Here are the articles we discussed: 1. Relevance of Bone Marrow Biopsy in Follicular Lymphoma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35787017/2. TROG 99 ... Show More
51m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 4
Colorectal Cancer
<p>Ninja Nerds!</p><p>In this episode of the Ninja Nerd Podcast, Zach and Rob discuss <b>Colorectal Cancer</b>. This comprehensive discussion focuses on the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management of one of the most common malignancies encountered in clinical practice ... Show More
37m 25s
Jul 2024
Ep. 178 ASCO 2024: Game-Changing GU Oncology Updates in Bladder and Kidney Cancers with Dr. Sumanta Pal and Dr. Petros Grivas
Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements and treatment strategies in the field of genitourinary oncology. In this episode of BackTable Urology, guest host Dr. Bogdana Schmidt, a urologic oncologist from the University of Utah, discusses takeaways from ASCO 2024 with Dr. Petros ... Show More
56m 23s
Mar 2025
Lymphoma
<p>Ninja Nerds,</p><p>Welcome to the Ninja Nerd Podcast with Zach and Rob! In this episode, we dive deep into <b>Lymphoma</b>, breaking down its pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and the latest advancements in treatment. We explore the key differences between <b>Hodgkin and No ... Show More
34m 14s
Jul 2024
S2 Episode 4: The Evolution of Nonoperative Rectal Cancer Management
Join Drs Benjamin Schlechter and Joshua Smith as they discuss the evolution of nonoperative rectal cancer management and organ preservation, highlighting groundbreaking trials like OPRA and JANUS. Relevant disclosures can be found with the episode show notes on Medscape https://w ... Show More
26m 27s
Oct 21
Ep. 267 Sequencing Therapies in NMIBC Management with Dr. Mark Tyson and Dr. Suzanne Merrill
New FDA-approved therapies for BCG-refractory non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)–where do they fit in the treatment algorithm, and how do you administer them? This installment of the 2025 NMIBC Creator Weekend™ series features host Dr. Bogdana Schmidt, assistant professor ... Show More
59m 51s
Aug 2024
S2 Episode 5: Adjuvant Chemo in Colorectal Cancer: What's Working Now?
Join Drs Benjamin Schlechter and Jeff Meyerhardt as they discuss the latest breakthroughs in adjuvant chemo for CRC and share their decision-making in real-world scenarios. Relevant disclosures can be found with the episode show notes on Medscape https://www.medscape.com/viewarti ... Show More
24m 52s
Jun 2023
Novel Therapies in GI Oncology at ASCO23
<p>Drs. Shaalan Beg and Shiraj Sen discuss notable advances in GI cancers featured at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting, including the PROSPECT and PRODIGE-23 trials in rectal adenocarcinoma, the MORPHEUS study in uHCC, and the NORPACT-1 trial in pancreatic head cancer.</p> <p><span s ... Show More
18m 30s
Oct 16
Spotlight on Acute Myeloid Leukemia
In this Spotlight series episode on Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Blood Editor, Dr. Selina Luger interviews Drs. Laura Michaelis and Alexander Perl on their paper in the series titled “The fit older adult with acute myeloid leukemia: clinical challenges to providing evidence-based fron ... Show More
21m 39s
Jun 2024
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) 2024 x Dr. Catherine Lai Part 2
<p>Today’s episode is an update on AML (acute myeloid leukemia). In Part 2 we discuss the treatment options for first-line, as well as relapsed/refractory disease. We are so honored to have Dr. Catherine Lai here with us who is Associate Professor and Physician Leader of the Leuk ... Show More
17m 29s
Jun 2024
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) 2024 x Dr. Catherine Lai Part 1
<p>Today’s episode is an update on AML (acute myeloid leukemia). In Part 1 we discuss the usual presentation, diagnostic work-up, and updates on the classification of AMLs. We are so honored to have Dr. Catherine Lai here with us who is Associate Professor and Physician Leader of ... Show More
25m 17s