In early 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Carvykti is a BCMA-directed T cell immunotherapy. T cells are sourced from the patients and then genetically modified to fight multiple myeloma cells. This therapy is also designed for adults whose other treatment lines – such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and chemotherapy like lenalidomide – have failed.
According to reporting by Yahoo! News, data from a clinical study of 419 people living with multiple myeloma found Carvykti to be effective in reducing the risk of multiple myeloma progression. Within the study, Carvykti was compared to the current standards-of-care (chemotherapy, steroids, etc.). The research team hoped to better understand how safe, effective, and well-tolerated the treatment is. Additionally, they were looking to see whether Carvykti had the potential to slow or stop disease progression.
During the follow-up period, the research team found that Carvykti reduced the risk of progression by 74% compared to the current standards-of-care. Some experts, including those not involved in the study itself, believe that Carvykti’s efficacy is hinged, at least partly, on how early it can be used. Compared to other treatment options, patients may start on this medicine earlier in their journey. Early treatment often leads to better outcomes.
Although Carvykti did significantly reduce the risk of disease progression, it did also cause serious side effects in many study participants. 75% of participants receiving Carvykti experienced cytokine release syndrome; this causes an aggressive and often overactive immune response to something in the body, such as infection or chemotherapy. In some cases, cytokine release syndrome can be life-threatening and even fatal. Learn more about cytokine release syndrome here.
Additionally, 5% of participants receiving Carvyikti experienced immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, a neuropsychiatric syndrome that can result following immunotherapy. In some cases, this syndrome can be fatal. Learn more about immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome here.
As we move towards the future, more research will be done to better understand the sustained and long-term impact of using Carvykti.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Plasma cells help your body fight against infection. When there is a “foreign invader” in your body, your immune system kicks into effect, attacking the invader and protecting your health. But what happens when cancer forms in these plasma cells?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in plasma cells. As the cancer spreads and the cells proliferate, they crowd healthy blood cells out of the bone marrow. People with multiple myeloma also have higher levels of abnormal M proteins in their blood.
The exact cause of this cancer is unknown. However, research has shown that many multiple myeloma cells are partially or fully missing part of chromosome 13. Additional risk factors have been identified. If you are male, older in age, Black, and have either MGUS or a family history of multiple myeloma, you are more at risk of developing it yourself.
Symptoms may not occur until the cancer has progressed. These symptoms may include:
- Bone pain, especially in the chest or spine
- Nausea
- Appetite loss
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Recurrent infections
- Unintentional weight loss
- Excessive thirst
- Hypercalcemia (excess calcium levels in the blood)
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Constipation
- Mental fogginess or confusion
In some cases, if the cancer is progressing slowly, doctors may recommend close monitoring rather than immediate treatment. Treatment may include a multifaceted approach using one or multiple of the following:
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Corticosteroids
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Chemotherapy
