My experience with novel immunotherapies

During the European School of Haematology (ESH) 5th Translational Research E-Conference on Multiple Myeloma, the Multiple Myeloma Hub was pleased to speak to Hermann Einsele, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, DE, about novel immunotherapies.

Bispecific antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells represent a novel interesting therapeutic option for patients with multiple myeloma. In this podcast, after explaining their mechanism of action, Hermann Einsele gives an overview of the major findings from clinical trials evaluating efficacy and safety of bispecific antibodies and CAR T cells.

The advantage of bispecific antibodies in comparison to CAR T cells is that they are probably less toxic, with less severe cytokine release syndrome and lower neurotoxicity, thus more suitable for patients who are less fit. However, CAR T cells seem to be more effective, with response rates of up to 100% and complete remission rates that can be above 80%. In summary, both bispecific antibodies and CAR T cells are new immunotherapeutic strategies that show promising results in patients with multiple myeloma.