New Data Highlights Safety & Potential of Linvoseltamab in Early Multiple Myeloma Treatment
ORLANDO, FL – Emerging research presented at IMS 2025 is offering pharmacists crucial insights into the safety profile and potential impact of linvoseltamab, a bispecific antibody, when used earlier in the treatment of high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HR-SMM). Experts emphasize the critical role pharmacists will play in patient education,monitoring,and adherence should the therapy become a standard option.
According to Paula Rodriguez-Otero, MD, PhD, a key focus for clinicians-and pharmacists monitoring patients-will be vigilance regarding cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurological complications known as ICANS, and infections, common adverse events associated with bispecific antibodies targeting BCMA. In the study, 40% of patients experienced any grade of CRS, but the majority were grade 1, presenting onyl as fever. A single grade 2 event-fever plus hypotension-occured after the initial step-up. This represents a lower incidence of grade 2 events compared to those seen in relapsed/refractory settings.
notably,no ICANS events were observed during the study period,and the incidence of grade 3 infections remained low,affecting only three out of 24 patients.
The research explores the potential benefits of introducing therapy earlier in the disease course. Alrigues-Air explained the goal of treating HR-SMM is to delay or even prevent disease progression,potentially preventing patients from ever meeting SLiM-CRAB criteria and transitioning to active disease. The hypothesis is that linvoseltamab’s ability to induce deep responses could lead to complete eradication of the disease in earlier stages.
Pharmacists are poised to be central to accomplished implementation of linvoseltamab in HR-SMM. Alrigues-Air stressed the shared responsibility of all healthcare providers to educate patients and caregivers about potential adverse events, their identification, prevention, and management. “Thes are new treatments with new toxicities, so all of us need to be educated, including patients and caregivers,” she stated. “Caregivers are critical in this process, as they are frequently enough the ones who notice symptoms and report them to the doctor.” Comprehensive education for pharmacists, physicians, patients, and caregivers is essential for optimizing treatment outcomes and managing potential side effects.
