A recent study shows that 1 in 3 people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma stayed in remission for at least five years after receiving a single infusion of the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti). Significantly, this result was achieved without the need for ongoing treatment.

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, also referred to as cilta-cel, is made from a person’s own T cells, which are immune cells that help identify and destroy harmful invaders. The cells are harvested and genetically engineered to target a protein called B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is common on B cells, including myeloma cells. CAR T-cell therapy is believed to work by prompting T cells to kill myeloma cells.

In the study, 97 people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) — most of whom had already tried several other treatments — received a single infusion of cilta-cel.

After a median follow-up of more than five years, 32 participants (33 percent) remained progression-free. Nearly all of them had reached a stringent complete response, meaning no cancer cells were detected by standard tests. Twelve participants were tracked even more closely and showed no signs of disease on imaging scans and negative minimal residual disease tests five years later.

The median overall survival rate, meaning the time at which half the study participants were still alive, was just over five years (60.7 months). The study authors described these results as “remarkable,” noting that historically, the median overall survival rate for people with RRMM is around one year.

‘Curative’ Potential — but Risk for Severe Side Effects

These study findings show that CAR T-cell therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for people with relapsed or treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. “To our knowledge, our data provide the first evidence that cilta-cel is potentially curative in patients with RRMM,” the study authors wrote.

Currently, there are two CAR T-cell therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating multiple myeloma: cilta-cel and idecabtagene vicleucel (sold as Abecma).

As with any treatment, CAR T-cell therapies can cause side effects, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening. These include cytokine release syndrome, issues with the nervous system, infections, a weakened immune system, and others.

If you or a loved one is exploring options after multiple myeloma relapse, talk to your doctor about whether CAR T-cell therapy or another approach might fit your treatment goals.

Learn more about CAR T-cell therapy and other treatment options for refractory myeloma.

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On MyMyelomaTeam, the social network for people living with multiple myeloma and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with myeloma.

Have you talked with your doctor about CAR T-cell therapy? What has it been like for you to try treatments after others didn’t work? Share your experiences in a comment below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with others in Groups.