Best of ASH 2025: IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael’s Top 10 Multiple Myeloma Abstracts

By Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO  
IMF Chief Medical Officer  
 
Scope and Methodology   
This week’s blog is a republishing of IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael's Myeloma Today article on his top 10 myeloma abstracts from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2025 annual meeting. It is intended for patients, care partners, and oncology professionals. This blog article was medically reviewed by Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO, on February 11, 2026. The blog reflects medical guidance available at the time of review and is not routinely updated.  
 
 

Nearly 30,000 individuals who are part of the blood diseases community gather every December at the annual meeting and exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) to present and discuss the most significant recent data in research.
 
This year, more than 9,000 research abstracts were submitted to ASH for consideration, and more than 8,000 were selected for presentation. Remarkably, over 1,500 presented were related to multiple myeloma.  

Myeloma continues to be the fastest-growing topic at ASH meetings. It is so encouraging to see the progress we have made in myeloma research that holds great promise for patients and their families.  

I’d like to share my top ten ASH 2025 myeloma abstracts with you. I have divided them into two groups, five of which are related to CAR T-cell therapy, and the other five related to bispecific antibodies. 

 
CAR T-cell therapy 

1. Abstract #LBA-1 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/304572): Minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative outcomes following a novel, in vivo gene therapy generating anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Preliminary results from inMMyCAR, the first-in-human phase 1 study of KLN-1010  

LBA-1 was one of only six “late breaking” abstracts that featured recently discovered results. It reported on the first three patients treated with in vivo CAR-T, meaning that the process takes place inside a patient.  

Typically, CAR-T is done ex vivo, which means we remove T cells from a patient’s bloodstream, then modify them in the laboratory and re-infuse the engineered T cells into the patient. The new in vivo CAR-T drug is delivered directly to the patient, converting the patient’s T cells to CAR-T cells inside their bodies, with no need to collect, engineer, manufacture, and then reinfuse the CAR-T cells into the patient. 

In vivo CAR-T is an amazing concept. It could allow much easier access to CAR T-cell therapy, which currently is a challenge and a huge disparity in myeloma. The patients treated with in vivo CAR-T in the clinical trial, all of whom have high-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM) and had been heavily pre-treated, achieved MRD-negativity in the first month and experienced fewer side effects than we typically see in ex vivo CAR T-cell therapy.  

In vivo CAR T-cell therapy is a big step forward in making the most effective myeloma therapy safer and more accessible for our patients. 
 
 

2. Abstract #94 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/297774): Long-term progression-free survival benefit with ciltacabtagene autoleucel in standard-risk relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma  
 

Carvykti® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel, “cilta-cel”) is the CAR T-cell therapy currently used as early as first relapse in myeloma (second-line therapy).

Two important clinical trials evaluated its use in patients: the CARTITUDE-1 study of patients with over 4 (on average 6) lines of therapy and the CARTITUDE-4 study of patients with 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy. The long-term follow-up of the standard-risk patients in those studies demonstrated outcomes we have never seen before. 

In early relapse, the progression-free survival (PFS) at 30 months was 80%. In late relapse, the PFS was 60%. Historically, CAR-T was used preferentially in high-risk patients, but now we see very impressive results in standard-risk patients with unprecedented length of time in remission. The CARTITUDE study also provides more specific data to share with standard-risk patients when making a decision about CAR T-cell therapy. 
 
 

3. Abstract #1034: (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/291002) Enhancing the safety of ciltacabtagene  autoleucel  in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM): Identification of potentially modifiable risk-factors associated with delayed neurotoxicity and non-relapse mortality  

One of the challenges we face with Carvykti is the delayed neurological side effect, neurotoxicity, which typically happens a month or more after treatment. It can be quite severe, such as Parkinson-like and Guillain-Barré-like syndromes. 
 
Preventing or reducing rare neurotoxicity is important, as we seek to deliver highly effective treatment more safely. 

This study evaluated more than 750 patients treated with Carvykti and arrived at two important conclusions. First, we can reduce the risk of neurotoxicity by giving effective “bridging therapy” — the treatment we give after T cells are collected but before they are reinfused. 

Second, a rise in the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) may predict a higher risk of neurotoxicity, and strategies to reduce the ALC may be of value. 
 
 

4. Abstract #258 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/291409): A dual targeting BCMA and CD19 fastcar-t (GC012F/AZD0120) as first-line therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma  

As we seek to make CAR T-cell therapy even more effective, a CAR T that targets two antigens on the surface of myeloma cells is designed to be more specific in adhering to myeloma cells.  

This is explored in the molecule GC012F/AZD0120, which was also tested in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).  

This was highly effective, with 100% of 30 patients responding, and with no cases of delayed neurotoxicity. We need more time and data, but this could signal even more effective and safe CAR T-cell therapy in the future. 
 
 

5. Abstract #256 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/293186): Phase 2 registrational study of anitocabtagene autoleucel for the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma: Updated results from iMMagine — 1  

In another approach to improving the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy, the new anito-cel molecule was tested in patients with relapsed myeloma.  

Anito-cel is unique in its novel binding of the CAR-T to the myeloma cell, using “D-domain” binding that might be more precise.  

Nearly all patients in this study responded with an overall response rate (ORR) of 97%, and there have been no cases of delayed neurotoxicity with more than a year of follow-ups- of over 100 study patients.  

Having a highly effective CAR T-cell therapy with minimal or no risk of delayed neurotoxicity is highly desirable. 
 
 

Bispecific antibodies 

6. Abstract #LBA-6 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/304640): Phase 3 randomized study of teclistamab plus daratumumab versus investigator’s choice of daratumumab and dexamethasone with either pomalidomide or bortezomib (DPd/DVd) in patients (Pts) with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Results of MajesTEC-3  

The highly anticipated late-breaking abstract from the MajesTEC-3 phase III clinical trial, which compares the combination of the bispecific antibody Tecvayli® (teclistamab-cqyv) plus the monoclonal antibody Darzalex® (daratumumab) to the standard approach with a triplet (3-drug) combination in patients with 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy. 

LBA-6 may be the most-talked-about abstract in myeloma; the results are genuinely dramatic. At the 3-year mark, 83% of patients on the Tecvayli + Darzalex combination were still in remission, whereas only 30% were in remission on a triplet. The overall survival (OS) was also improved at the 3-year mark (83% vs 65%). 

Furthermore, patients were treated with less Tecvayli than historically used, as they matched it to the dosing of Darzalex: weekly for 8 weeks, then every other week for 16 weeks, then once every 4 weeks. 

There was, however, a concerning infectious signal, as initially 4% of patients died of an infection. But the study investigators altered the protocol to ensure more infection precautions, such as the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).  

Thereafter, significantly fewer infections occurred. The data from this study will almost definitely lead to the use of bispecific antibodies earlier in the disease course. Bispecific antibodies are currently approved for use in myeloma only after 4 lines of therapy. 
 
 

7. Abstract #367 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/298743): A phase 2 study of teclistamab in combination with daratumumab in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: The IFM2021-01 TecLille trial, cohort A  

The same combination of Tecvayli + Darzalex was tested in frontline therapy in newly diagnosed patients who are not eligible for transplant. 

This was part of a French trial that combined Tecvayli plus the immunomodulatory agent Revlimid® (lenalidomide) in one cohort (group of patients) and Tecvayli + Darzalex in another cohort.  

Although it was only used in 37 patients, the response rate was 100%, and no patients have yet relapsed at 10 months of follow-up!  

This is an important combination to watch as it may lead to the frontline use of bispecific antibodies, challenging our current use of triplet and quadruplet (4-drug) combination therapies. 
 
 

8. Abstract #248 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/297031): A phase 2 trial of abbreviated fixed-duration (Default 4 Cycles) linvoseltamab immuno-consolidation to deepen responses post newly diagnosed multiple myeloma combination therapy for minimal residual disease positivity (the IMMUNOPLANT Study)  

I am including this abstract in my Top 10 list because of the novel design of this clinical trial. The study evaluated myeloma patients who had standard induction therapy (initial phase of treatment) to achieve remission but remained positive for minimal residual disease (MRD).  

Patients received 4 cycles of the bispecific antibody Lynozyfic™ (linvoseltamab-gcpt) to see if they could deepen response to MRD-negativity – and indeed every patient did. 

The importance of MRD status has been well established. To deepen response to treatment, the unique approach of this study added a bispecific antibody that targets the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a protein found on the surface of myeloma cells. This form of treatment is currently not used in induction. 

This study is important as it widens the potential use of bispecific antibodies, uses MRD to guide therapy, and provides another mechanism of action to control myeloma. 
 
 

9. Abstract #699: (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/296378) Phase 2 study of cevostamab consolidation following BCMA CAR T cell therapy: preliminary safety, efficacy, and correlative data from the “STEM” (Sequential T Cell-Engagement for Myeloma) trial  

One potential method to make CAR T-cell therapy more effective is to follow it with a bispecific antibody that has a different target than the CAR T-cell therapy. Currently, CAR T-cell therapy targets the BCMA antigen on the surface of the myeloma cell. 

Cevostamab is a new bispecific antibody that is being developed to target a different antigen, FcRH5. 

Patients in this study received CAR T-cell therapy, followed by cevostamab for approximately 6 months. At this point, the study stopped treatment in patients who were MRD-negative patients but continued treatment of MRD-positive patients. Full results are pending.  

The study design is fascinating as it aims to extend the length of benefit from CAR T-cell therapy with a new bispecific antibody that uses a different target on the myeloma cell.  

Guided by MRD, this could become part of the future of CAR T-cell therapy in myeloma. 
 
 

10. Abstract #698 (https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/297026): Efficacy and safety of  talquetamab + teclistamab in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and extramedullary disease: Updated phase 2 results from the RedirecTT-1 study with extended follow-up  

One of the most challenging forms of myeloma is when the disease grows outside of the bone marrow. This is known as extramedullary disease (EMD).  

Historically, myeloma patients with EMD have lower response rates to treatment and, in particular, have very short periods of remission as the disease grows aggressively.  

This study combines two different bispecific antibodies that have different targets on the myeloma cell. Talvey® (talquetamab) targets GPRC5D and Tecvayli targets BCMA. 

Study data demonstrated remarkable results with a response rate of 80%, nearly doubling prior therapies and lasting on average approximately 12 months.  

This study may also lead to a novel use of bispecific antibodies by combining them together, especially in challenging-to-treat forms of myeloma. 
 
 

In conclusion 
 

These are truly exciting times in myeloma research, yielding more effective and safe therapies for our patients, and providing genuine hope as we continue to move closer to a cure. 

(This article was published in the Winter 2026 edition of the Myeloma Today (https://www.myeloma.org/resource-library/myeloma-today-winter-2026) — the IMF's quarterly publication of myeloma research.)