Phase 1b/2 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-1): Two years post-LPI.
Authors: Usmani Saad Zafar , Martin Thomas G. , Berdeja Jesus G. , Jakubowiak Andrzej J. , Agha Mounzer E. , Cohen Adam D. , Deol Abhinav , Htut Myo , Lesokhin Alexander M. , Munshi Nikhil C. , O'Donnell Elizabeth , Jackson Carolyn Chang , Yeh Tzu-min , Banerjee Arnob , Zudaire Enrique , Madduri Deepu , Zhou Changwei , Bubuteishvili-Pacaud Lida , Lin Yi , Jagannath Sundar 
Published: June 2022

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Background: Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy with 2 B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)–targeting single-domain antibodies, led to early, deep, and durable responses in the phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 study (NCT03548207) in heavily pretreated patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). At ̃1-year (y) median follow-up (MFU), overall response rate (ORR) was 97%; 67% of pts achieved stringent complete response (sCR). 1-y progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 77% and 89%, respectively (Berdeja 2021). Updated results 2-y post last patient in (LPI) will be presented (̃30-month total MFU). Here, we report CARTITUDE-1 results at 21.7-month MFU. Methods: Eligible pts with RRMM received ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LOT) or were refractory to a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and had received a PI, IMiD, and anti-CD38 antibody. Bridging therapy was permitted after apheresis. Pts received a single cilta-cel infusion (target dose 0.75×106 CAR+ viable T cells/kg) 5–7 days after lymphodepletion. Primary objectives were to evaluate cilta-cel safety and efficacy. Response was assessed per International Myeloma Working Group criteria by independent review committee and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity at 10-5 by next-generation sequencing. Results: As of July 22, 2021, 97 pts (59% male; median age 61 y) received cilta-cel. Pts had a median of 6 (range 3–18) prior LOT; 84% were penta-drug exposed, 88% were triple-class refractory, 42% were penta-drug refractory, and 99% were refractory to last LOT. ORR was 97.9% (95% CI 92.7–99.7), 94.9% achieved very good partial response, and 82.5% achieved sCR. Median times to first response, best response, and ≥CR were 1.0, 2.6, and 2.9 months (m), respectively; median duration of response was not reached (NR). Of 61 pts evaluable for MRD, 92% were MRD negative (10-5), sustained for ≥6 m in 44% (27/61) and ≥12 m in 18% (11/61). 2-y PFS was 60.5% (95% CI 48.5–70.4). Median PFS and OS were NR. 2-y PFS rates in pts with sustained MRD negativity for ≥6 m and ≥12 m were 91% and 100%, respectively. There were no new safety signals or new events of CAR-T cell neurotoxicity, movement and neurocognitive treatment-emergent adverse events, or treatment-related deaths since 1-y MFU. 15 second primary malignancies were reported in 11 pts over ̃2-y MFU. Conclusions: At ̃2-y MFU, a single cilta-cel infusion led to deepening and durable responses in heavily pretreated pts with RRMM with a manageable safety profile. Follow-up is ongoing, and landmark 2-y post LPI data (̃8 m additional follow-up; ̃30 m total MFU) will be presented. Further investigations of cilta-cel are ongoing in earlier LOT and outpatient settings across the CARTITUDE program (NCT04133636, NCT04181827, NCT04923893). Clinical trial information: NCT03548207.