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Blood Cancer Talks

Episode 55. ASH 2024 Myeloma Updates with Dr. Rakesh Popat

Jan 11, 2025
Dr. Rakesh Popat, a consultant hematologist and associate professor at UCL, shares insights from ASH 2024 on myeloma and amyloidosis. He discusses the AQUILA trial, highlighting daratumumab's benefits for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. The conversation also covers the promising early data of Anito-Cel, a novel CAR T therapy, and updates on survival outcomes for cilta-cel in relapsed myeloma. Additionally, he reviews long-term advancements in treatment strategies for AL amyloidosis and ultra-high-risk myeloma patients.
38:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The AQUILA trial demonstrated that daratumumab significantly reduces the risk of progression in high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma patients, highlighting the complexity of treatment decisions amidst evolving risk assessments.
  • The introduction of Anito-Cel showed remarkable efficacy in heavily treated patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, potentially setting a new standard in CAR-T therapies while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

Deep dives

Recent Advances in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Treatment

A significant focus of this discussion was the AQUILA trial, a phase three study examining the efficacy of daratumumab in high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. The trial showcased that patients receiving daratumumab experienced a 51% reduction in the risk of progression to multiple myeloma compared to those undergoing active monitoring, with a hazard ratio of 0.49 at the 60-month mark. However, it is essential to interpret these results within the current context of risk assessment criteria; the study's population was slightly different from those classified under today's guidelines. Additionally, the trial's findings have prompted conversations about the balance between treatment interventions and the associated risks, such as increased infections, highlighting the evolving landscape of managing high-risk patients.

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