ICLE 2022 | Targeting neoantigens in multiple myeloma with CAR T-cell

Anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies such as ciltacabtagene autoleucel and idecabtagene vicleucel have made a positive impact on the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma. However, tumor heterogeneity, antigen escape and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment are barriers CAR T-cell therapies currently face. Angela Krackhard, MD, PhD, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, describes research on neoantigens and its benefits. As neoantigens are only found in the tumor, off-target effects such as B-cell aplasia and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) are reduced. Utilizing alternative targets such as SLAMF7 and CD38, as well as bispecific CAR T-cells represent novel strategies to optimize immunotherapies for multiple myeloma. This interview took place at the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering (ICLE) 2022.