IASO Bio's Innovative CAR-T Therapy Shows Promise for Multiple Myeloma Patients

Promising Breakthrough in CAR-T Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

In a significant advancement in cancer treatment, IASO Biotherapeutics, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, has published promising results of its latest study in the journal Blood. This research focuses on RD118, an innovative CAR-T therapy directed against the GPRC5D antigen, specifically aimed at patients suffering from relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). Multiple myeloma has long been a challenging and often fatal condition, making this development a beacon of hope for those who have exhausted traditional treatments.

The study, titled “Fully Human anti-GPRC5D CAR T-Cell Therapy RD118 Induces Durable Remissions in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma,” is an open-label, phase 1 clinical trial conducted at two leading medical institutions in China: Ruijin Hospital and Tongji Hospital. With 18 participants, the trial explored the efficacy and safety of RD118 in heavily pretreated patients. Notably, this cohort included individuals who had previously undergone multiple lines of compassionate therapies, often with little success.

Among the participants, the median age was around 59.5 years, and on average, they had already experienced five different lines of treatment prior to RD118. The participants presented significant risk factors, including double-hit cytogenetics in 50% of the cases and resistance to multiple therapeutic classes. Despite these challenges, the study reported an overall response rate (ORR) of 94.4%, with an impressive 72.2% of patients achieving either complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR). Particularly noteworthy was the outcome for those patients who had previously undergone therapy targeting BCMA; among them, the ORR was recorded at 85.7%, with 71.4% reaching CR or sCR.

The safety profile of RD118 was also manageable. While almost 89% of the patients reported experiencing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), the vast majority encountered only mild to moderate symptoms. Only one patient experienced severe CRS that necessitated hospitalization, underscoring the importance of proper monitoring during CAR-T therapy. Additionally, one incident of immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity (ICANS) was reported, which resolved rapidly, further demonstrating the tolerability of this novel treatment approach.

Professor Mi Jianqing from Ruijin Hospital highlighted the importance of this breakthrough: “Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disorder, but these results present a crucial step forward in finding effective treatment options for relapsed and refractory patients. The high response rate to GPRC5D-targeted therapy is particularly promising, especially for patients who have already seen their options dwindle.”

The design of RD118 features unique aspects that contribute to its effectiveness. It employs a fully human nanobody for antigen recognition, decreasing the likelihood of immune reactions that can hamper therapy. This design equips RD118 to target GPRC5D with high specificity while maximizing anti-tumor activity and reducing potential side effects.

As the clinical landscape for multiple myeloma expands, IASO Bio’s commitment to innovative therapies, particularly those like RD118 which target GPRC5D, is evident. The findings published in Blood are not only a remarkable milestone for IASO Bio but also signify a newfound hope for patients grappling with this challenging disease. CEO Jinhua Zhang remarked on this advancement, emphasizing the necessity for continuous innovation in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

In conclusion, the outcomes from the RD118 trials mark a crucial juncture in treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with the potential to alter the treatment paradigm significantly. IASO Bio intends to expedite the clinical development of RD118, aiming to deliver this promising therapy to patients globally. As we await further developments, this groundbreaking therapy exemplifies hope in the fight against one of hematology’s toughest adversaries.