ASCO 2019 | Immunotherapeutic approaches in MM

Jesus G. Berdeja, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, US, spoke to the Multiple Myeloma Hub during ASCO 2019, Chicago, US, about new immunotherapeutic approaches in MM. He describes the "very exciting times for myeloma" by discussing the abstracts presented on novel immunotherapies during ASCO. These included the new CELMoD, iberdomide, presented by Professor Lonial which demonstrated a 30% response rate, including in patients with prior immunomodulatory drug exposure and prior daratumumab. 

Jesus Berdeja noted that iberdomide targets cereblon deeper than existing drugs, and this is an interesting drug to watch as further results are released. Secondly, he discussed AMG-420 which was presented by Dr Topp. This bispecific antibody targets both B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3. The results from the first-in-human trial were discussed, with Jesus Berdeja noting that there had been some unexpected toxicity such as peripheral neuropathy which has not previously been described, and infections.