Use of Prophylactic Tocilizumab with Teclistamab: Takeaways from ASCO 2024

A comprehensive US analysis showed that progress in multiple myeloma survival has not been shared equally, with significant disparities persisting despite improved therapies.

Tyler Sandahl, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Mayo Clinic, explains that sequencing novel multiple myeloma therapies with CAR T-cell therapy is generally prioritized first for eligible patients, while bispecific antibodies are reserved for later lines or for patients unable to tolerate CAR T.

Tyler Sandahl, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Mayo Clinic, discussed the complexities of alternative payment models for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and bispecific therapies and the need for improved data sharing in cancer care.

The findings contradict previous research suggesting high-risk patients with multiple myeloma were more likely to have a higher percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs).

The FDA has removed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for hematologic malignancies, aiming to ease provider burden and expand patient access.

Disparities in multiple myeloma outcomes and the need for equitable care were the focus of 2 posters presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.