Oncology

Multiple Myeloma

Expert Roundtables Podcast: The Role of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma

expert roundtables by Rafat Abonour, MD; Rafael Fonseca, MD; Noopur Raje, MD

Overview

CAR T-cell immunotherapy has reshaped the treatment landscape for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, prompting clinicians to reconsider when and in which patients this approach may offer the greatest benefit. As noted by our experts in today’s podcast, there is a growing shift toward earlier integration of CAR T-cell therapy, particularly at first relapse for appropriate patients, driven by the potential for deeper responses, improved tolerability, and more durable treatment-free remission.

References

Ailawadhi S, Shune L, Wong SW, Lin Y, Patel K, Jagannath S. Optimizing the CAR T-cell therapy experience in multiple myeloma: clinical pearls from an expert roundtable. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2024;24(5):e217-e225. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2024.01.014

Einsele H, San-Miguel J, Dhakal B, et al. Cilta-cel in lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-4): an updated analysis including overall survival from an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2026;27(2):254-268. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00653-9

Lickefett B, Chu L, Ortiz-Maldonado V, et al. Lymphodepletion – an essential but undervalued part of the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy cycle. Front Immunol. 2023;14:1303935. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1303935

Richardson T, Holtick U, Frenking JH, et al. Sequential BCMA CAR T-cell therapy in refractory multiple myeloma. Blood Adv. 2025;9(18):4624-4630. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016712

San-Miguel J, Dhakal B, Yong K, et al. Cilta-cel or standard care in lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(4):335-347. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2303379

Sheykhhasan M, Ahmadieh-Yazdi A, Vicidomini R, et al. CAR T therapies in multiple myeloma: unleashing the future. Cancer Gene Ther. 2024;31(5):667-686. doi:10.1038/s41417-024-00750-2

Swan D, Madduri D, Hocking J. CAR-T cell therapy in multiple myeloma: current status and future challenges. Blood Cancer J. 2024;14(1):206. doi:10.1038/s41408-024-01191-8

Profile

Rafat Abonour, MD

Professor of Clinical Medicine
Division of Myeloma, Department of Medicine
Member, Sylvester Myeloma Institute
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami
Miami, FL

Profile

Rafael Fonseca, MD

Getz Family Professor of Cancer, Professor of Medicine, Chief Innovation Officer, and Consultant
Division of Hematology and Oncology
Mayo Clinic Distinguished Investigator
Mayo Clinic
Phoenix, AZ

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Noopur Raje, MD

Director, Center for Multiple Myeloma
Rita M. Kelley Chair in Oncology
Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute
Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA