Infections in MonumenTAL-1: a plain language summary of talquetamab treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

Plain Language SummaryWhat is this summary about?This summary describes infection and immune cell data of participants receiving talquetamab for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the MonumenTAL-1 study.What were the results?Almost 60% of participants receiving talquetamab 0.4 mg/kg once weekly, 66% of participants receiving 0.8 mg/kg once every other week, and about 75% of participants with previous T-cell redirection therapy with either talquetamab dose, experienced infections. Respiratory infections were most common. Some participants experienced severe infections (about 20%: 0.4 mg/kg; 15%: 0.8 mg/kg; 30%: previous T-cell redirection therapy), most often in early treatment cycles.Few participants experienced opportunistic infections, which may occur in people with weakened immune systems (3.5%: 0.4 mg/ kg; 5.5%: 0.8 mg/kg; 5.9%: previous T-cell redirection therapy). Five of 339 participants died due to infections. The risk of infections was lower after 3 months of talquetamab treatment. Few participants received donor antibodies (intravenous immunoglobulin) after talquetamab treatment (around 10%: 0.4 mg/kg; 7%: 0.8 mg/kg; 9%: previous T-cell redirection therapy).What do the results of this study mean?Participants receiving talquetamab experienced lower rates of severe infection than other studied B-cell maturation antigen-targeting bispecific antibodies. Their immune systems could fight infections, showing that talquetamab treatment keeps the immune system working for participants with RRMM.Clinical trial number: NCT03399799Clinical trial number: NCT04634552