Durable Remission in Multiple Myeloma Linked to Robust Immune Response Following CAR-T Therapy
New York,NY – November 17,2025 – Researchers at Mount Sinai have pinpointed a potential key to long-term cancer-free survival in multiple myeloma patients treated with cilta-cel,a CAR-T cell therapy: a diverse and potent immune system response beyond the engineered T cells themselves. The findings, published November 5, 2025, in Blood Advances, suggest that a complex interplay of immune cells, including diverse T cell populations and minimal myeloid suppression, correlates with sustained remission-years after treatment completion.
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, remains a challenging disease to treat, particularly after relapse. While CAR-T therapy has revolutionized treatment for some, not all patients experience lasting remission. This study offers a crucial step toward understanding why some patients achieve durable responses, potentially paving the way for strategies to enhance the therapy’s effectiveness for a wider patient population. The research focuses on identifying biomarkers predictive of long-term remission, offering hope for personalized treatment approaches and improved outcomes in the fight against this blood cancer.
The Mount Sinai study analyzed data from patients who participated in the CARTITUDE-1 trial (NCT03548207), an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of JNJ-68284528, a CAR-T therapy targeting the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA).Researchers discovered that patients experiencing extended remission exhibited a greater diversity of T cells - beyond the CAR-T cells – and lower levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which can hinder the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
“Long-term remission after cilta-cel in multiple myeloma is linked to diverse t cells and low myeloid suppression,” explained lead author João Vieira dos Santos, and colleagues. The study revealed that a robust, multifaceted immune response, rather than solely relying on the CAR-T cells, appears critical for maintaining control of the disease.
Further analysis indicated that these immune characteristics were present before CAR-T cell infusion, suggesting that a patient’s pre-existing immune profile could be a valuable predictor of treatment success. According to a report in Pharmacy Times on August 6, 2025, cilta-cel is being investigated for its potential to redefine outcomes in multiple myeloma, and these new findings add weight to that possibility. researchers are now exploring ways to modulate the immune system prior to CAR-T cell therapy to potentially improve outcomes for more patients.
