Several companies have presented compelling data from multiple myeloma studies at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.
Data was announced by both Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Johnson and Johnson (J&J), as well as an investigator-led study looking into the use of certain myeloma therapies in the outpatient setting.
BMS’s MeziKd touts 18-month PFS
BMS said its cereblon E3 ligase modulation drug mezigdomide in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (MeziKd) led to 18-month progression-free survival (PFS) compared to 8.3 months with carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone (Kd), representing a 52% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared with Kd.
The Phase III SUCCESSOR-2 trial (NCT05552976) enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
Results also showed significantly improved PFS rates with MeziKd across patients in second- and third-line as well as those with higher-risk disease. Higher overall response rate (ORR: 80.2% vs 53.4%) and complete response or better (26.7% vs 8.9%) were also seen with MeziKd compared with Kd.
Median overall survival was not reached at the time of data cutoff.
The safety profile of MeziKd was consistent with the known profile of mezigdomide and the combination regimen. Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were seen in 83.7% vs 56.5% of patients, with neutropenia in 61.1% vs 9.1%, and infections in 34.0% vs 15.6% of patients treated with MeziKd and Kd, respectively.
Dr Paul Richardson, director of clinical research and clinical program leader at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said: "Maintaining durable disease control becomes an increasing challenge with each line of therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory disease and increasing resistance to therapy, so achieving extended progression-free survival of a year and a half is especially meaningful. These promising results at ASCO underscore MeziKd’s potential, particularly for those patients who need additional options after both early and later relapse.”
BMS will be showing the data to regulatory authorities.
J&J’s Tecvayli could move into earlier use
In the Phase III MajesTEC-9 study (NCT05572515), J&J’s Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 71% and the risk of death by 40%.
Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) was pitted against a standard of care (SoC) regimen of pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (PVd) or Kd as early as second line for patients with RRMM.
All key secondary endpoints showed significant improvement with Tecvayli versus SoC, including nearly two-thirds of patients achieving a complete response or better.
The bispecific T-cell engager had similar rates of TEAEs as SoC - 99.7% vs. 97.9%. Grade 3-4 TEAEs were reported by 84.9% of patients treated with Tecvayli, compared with 76.3% of patients receiving SoC.
Dr Roberto Mina, associate Professor, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, said: “These findings further reinforce Tecvayli’s potential to meaningfully improve survival outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma in earlier lines. These results will continue to transform the role of bispecifics in clinical decision-making as early as first relapse – offering a steroid-sparing, community-based therapy for patients across all practice settings, regardless of prior anti-CD38 exposure.”
Based on the data, J&J is working with regulatory bodies globally to consider Tecvayli as early as the second line.
Investigators test Tecvayli and Talvey in outpatient care
A Phase II study (NCT05972135), ran by the Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), evaluated step-up administration of Tecvayli or Talvey (talquetamab) with prophylactic Actemra (tocilizumab) as an outpatient procedure in patients with RRMM.
Data was presented at ASCO by Dr Peter Forsberg of the SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute.
According to the abstract, the ORR was 68.9% in the Tecvayli cohort and 71.4% in the Talvey cohort. 6.7% and 14.3% experienced stringent complete response (sCR), and 17.8% and 14.3% had CR. A very good partial response (VGPR) was experienced by 26.7% and 42.9% of patients, and PR was seen in 17.8% and 0%.
After a median follow-up of 11.8 months in those treated with Tecvayli, 75.6% were free from disease progression, while the remaining 24.4% (11) had clinical or objective progression leading to end of therapy.
Additionally, six patients in the Tecvayli arm discontinued treatment before eventually dying due to progressive disease, with two patients discontinuing due to AEs, three under the advice of their physician, and one patient withdrew consent. No progression events have occurred to date in the Talvey arm.
