In a phase 1b/2 study, researchers assessed the feasibility of combining talquetamab and teclistamab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) and observed a high rate of responses, as well as increased grade 3/4 infections.
The study was led by Yael C. Cohen, MD, of the Tel Aviv University in Israel, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Phase 1 assessed five dose levels, with the following chosen as the recommended phase 2 regimen: talquetamab 0.8 mg/kg and teclistamab 3.0 mg/kg every other week.
A total of 94 triple-class-exposed patients received treatment, 44 of whom received the recommended phase 2 dose.
After a median follow-up of 20.3 months, three patients experienced dose-limiting toxic toxicities. Across dose levels, the most common adverse events were cytokine release syndrome, neutropenia, change in taste, and nonrash skin events.
Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in almost all patients (96%), and nearly two-thirds (64%) of patients experienced grade 3/4 infections, an incidence that the researchers noted was higher than what has been reported with each therapy individually.
Across dose levels, 78% of patients responded; 80% of patients receiving the recommended phase 2 regimen responded, including 61% with extramedullary disease. The likelihood of patients continuing to respond at 18 months was 77% across dose levels and 86% with the recommended phase 2 dose, indicating more durable responses.
The study was funded by Janssen.
Reference
Cohen YC, Magen H, Gatt M, et al. Talquetamab plus teclistamab in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(2):138-149. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2406536
