While high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) remain integral to the primary treatment of newly diagnosed transplant-elble multiple myeloma (MM) patients, the challenge of disease progression persists. The primary objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tandem ASCT compared to single ASCT. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing tandem ASCT with single ASCT in patients with newly diagnosed MM. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Clinical Trials databases for studies published up to January 2024. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CRR), and treatment-related mortality (TRM). We used a random-effects model to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Twelve studies involving 5057 patients met the inclusion criteria. Tandem ASCT was associated with a significantly higher CRR compared to single ASCT (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03–1.71, I2 = 15%), but no significant differences were observed in PFS (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.42–1.34, I2 = 14%), OS (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.33–1.10, I2 = 27%), or the ORR (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.59–1.08, I2 = 33%). However, tandem ASCT was associated with a significantly higher risk of TRM (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.00–3.18, I2 = 0%). Tandem ASCT improves the CRR but does not provide significant benefits in terms of PFS, OS, or ORR compared to single ASCT in patients with newly diagnosed MM. Moreover, tandem ASCT is associated with a higher risk of TRM. The decision to pursue tandem ASCT should be made on an individual basis, carefully weighing the potential benefits and risks in light of each patient’s unique clinical situation. Future research should focus on identifying patient subgroups most likely to benefit from tandem ASCT and exploring strategies to optimize the efficacy and safety of this approach in the context of novel agent-based therapies.

Elranatamab, a BCMA-CD3 bispecific antibody, has demonstrated robust activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but real-world outcomes remain poorly defined. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of 130 patients treated with commercial elranatamab across nine U.S. academic centers. The cohort was heavily pretreated (91% triple-class refractory, 49% penta-refractory), with 49% previously exposed to BCMA-targeted therapies. Only 22% would have met eligibility for MagnetisMM-3 cohort A. The overall response rate (ORR) was 65%, including ≥CR in 36%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 4.3 and 14.6 months, respectively, shorter than MagnetisMM-3. Elevated LDH and low hemoglobin independently predicted poor outcomes and were incorporated into the novel ALPS (Anemia-LDH Prognostic System) score, which stratified patients into distinct risk groups for ORR, OS, PFS, and duration of response. Prior BCMA exposure reduced depth of response, with inferior OS observed in those treated within one year of prior therapy. Infections occurred in 38% of patients. Intravenous immunoglobulin supplementation, modeled as a time-dependent covariate, was associated with improved infection-free survival and PFS. While the incidence of CRS was modestly lower than in MagnetisMM-3, ICANS occurred more frequently in this real-world cohort. These findings highlight the efficacy, limitations, and supportive care needs of elranatamab in a frailer, more heterogeneous real-world RRMM population.

Advancements in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have illuminated the disease’s molecular diversity, leading to a wide variation in the outcomes observed in MCL. Current prognostic risk scores are continuously revised to incorporate new updates in the mechanistic or biologic understanding of MCL. Nevertheless, key high-risk features of MCL associated with rapid disease progression and poor survival, such as TP53 mutations, complex karyotypes, and blastoid or pleomorphic morphologies, remain absent from available prognostic tools. The greater accessibility of genomic technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), has enabled clinicians to identify specific genetic alterations that serve as prognostic signals and disease monitoring parameters, cultivating accurate risk profiling that is illustrative of MCL heterogeneity. Through an increased understanding of distinct MCL behaviors, novel therapies that mechanistically target disease biology, including Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, ROR1 inhibitors, and bispecific T-cell engagers, have broadened the treatment armamentarium for relapsed/refractory MCL cases. These interventions, in addition to chemoimmunotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation mainstays, confer the individualization of treatment and improved survival outcomes. Further exploration of the considerable biological heterogeneity of MCL can enhance knowledge, management, and the treatment of this rare lymphoma subtype.

Patients with plasma cell leukemia (PCL) are generally excluded from pivotal T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody (BsAb) trials. We evaluated real-world outcomes in a multicenter retrospective study of 122 patients with primary or secondary PCL across 15 academic centers, categorized as 'active' (≥5% circulating plasma cells within 30 days of BsAb initiation) or 'historical'. In a heavily pretreated population, patients received teclistamab (37%), elranatamab (11%), talquetamab as a line of therapy (Tal LOT, 42%), or talquetamab as bridging therapy to CAR-T (Tal Bridge, 11%). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was grade 1-2 in 56% and grade 3-4 in 4%, whereas neurotoxicity was grade 1-2 in 16% and grade 3-4 in 5%. Among 110 evaluable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 55%, including 61% with Tal LOT, 58% with Tal Bridge, 46% with elranatamab, and 33% with teclistamab. With a median follow-up of 8.3 months, talquetamab demonstrated superior survival. Tal LOT showed a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 5.5 months and a median overall survival (mOS) of 11.5 months, and both were unreached in the Tal Bridge cohort. In contrast, teclistamab and elranatamab showed a mPFS of 1.2 and 1.6 months and mOS of 8.1 and 3.6 months, respectively (P=0.007, P=0.023). In active PCL, Tal LOT achieved mPFS/mOS of 6.9/12.2 months versus 0.7/1.4 months with teclistamab and 1.0/3.1 months with elranatamab, respectively (P<0.001, P=0.002). Multivariable analysis associated active PCL with worse survival and Tal LOT with improved outcomes. BsAbs were safe in PCL, with talquetamab showing superior outcomes compared with BCMA-directed BsAbs.

After publication, the authors identified several errors in the manuscript, including inconsistencies between the manuscript’s reported results and the corresponding figures, a missing citation, and incorrect reference citations

Despite recent therapeutic advances, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains difficult to treat. T-cell engagers (TCEs) are a promising option for heavily pretreated RRMM. These agents ...