Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, assistant member, malignant hematology program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the promise of bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) in multiple myeloma.

Although CAR T-cell therapies elicit unprecedented efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, it takes time to collect and engineer the T-cells. Often, these patients are symptomatic and cannot wait the amount of time needed to manufacture the CAR T-cell product, Brayer explains. However, BiTEs and bispecific antibodies are off-the-shelf options that could be utilized when a patient is experiencing relapse, Brayer says.

CAR T-cell therapy and BiTEs are similar in terms of their immunologic adverse effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, Brayer continues. However, the field has developed an understanding of how to manage these toxicities given the experience with CAR T-cell therapy. Therefore, that knowledge is being effectively applied to clinical trials with BiTEs, Brayer adds. Although both therapeutic approaches are associated with specific toxicities, management strategies can minimize the impact they have on patients, Brayer concludes. 

Videos

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, discusses the promise of bispecific T-cell engagers in multiple myeloma. 


Dr. Brayer on the Promise of BiTEs in Multiple Myeloma 

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, assistant member, malignant hematology program at Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the emergence of bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) and bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma.

T-cell redirecting therapies, such as BiTEs and bispecific antibodies, are emerging in multiple myeloma, which could expand the cellular paradigm beyond CAR T-cell therapy, Brayer explains. Not all patients with multiple myeloma are eligible for or have access to CAR T-cell therapy, so BiTEs and bispecific antibodies could create other therapeutic avenues with potentially robust responses for those patients. 

Notably, BiTEs and bispecific antibodies could be used in the community setting once the field garners additional knowledge on how to best manage associated toxicities and deliver the products safely, Brayer says. As such, it could be more important for community physicians to become familiar with these agents vs CAR T-cell therapies because the management of acute CAR T-cell therapy–relate toxicities is often completed in a specialized center vs a community practice, Brayer concludes. 

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, discusses the emergence of bispecific T-cell engagers and bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma.  



Dr. Brayer on the Emergence of BiTEs and Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma 

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, assistant member, malignant hematology program at Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses bispecific antibodies and T-cell engagers as alternative options to CAR T-cell therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. 

Because some patients with multiple myeloma do not have access to, or are ineligible for, CAR T-cell therapy, T-cell–redirecting therapies could potentially address an important unmet need in this population, according to Brayer. It is important that these patients know that other options can provide robust responses, similar to those achieved with CAR T cells, Brayer says. 

Once the toxicities of bispecific T-cell engagers and bispecific antibodies are managed, and they can be delivered to patients safely, these treatments could represent more accessible options for use in a community-based setting, Brayer concludes.

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD, discusses bispecific antibodies and T-cell engagers as alternative options to CAR T-cell therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. 

Jason Brayer, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Brayer on the Promise of BiTEs in Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Brayer on the Emergence of BiTEs and Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Brayer on Alternatives to CAR T-Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma