On Tuesday, June 17, IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO (TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center — Phoenix, AZ), discussed the latest drug therapy news from the June 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Conference, the IMF IMWG Summit, and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Conference along with a panel of leading myeloma experts.
Key Topics Covered:
- Insights from the ISTOPMM trial on early detection and prevention.
- Importance of age, genetics, and family history in screening programs.
- Risk stratification models (20-2-20 and others).
- AQUILA trial findings on delaying progression with daratumumab.
- Emerging therapies and trial opportunities for high-risk patients.
- Quadruplet regimens as the standard of care.
- Role of MRD in guiding treatment strategies.
- Advances in CAR T-cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugates.
- Innovations like Isatuximab's on-body injector for easier administration.
- Promising therapies for frail patients, including Belantamab and bispecific antibodies.
- Long-term remission data from CARTITUDE-1 with cilta-cel.
- Novel trispecific antibodies targeting BCMA, CD38, and GPRC5D.
- Combination therapies like teclistamab and talquetamab for extramedullary disease.
New Definition of High-Risk Myeloma:
- Updated criteria for high-risk myeloma based on genetic and clinical factors.
- Focus on risk-stratified therapeutic approaches.
- Collaborative efforts to advance research, improve patient care, and develop innovative treatments.
Final Takeaways:
- Quadruplet regimens and CD38 antibodies are transforming frontline therapy.
- CAR T-cell therapy shows unprecedented results, with 33% of patients disease-free at 5 years.
- Novel approaches like bispecific antibodies and trispecific antibodies are expanding treatment options.
- High-risk myeloma remains challenging, but new definitions and therapies offer hope.
