Hematology / Cell Therapy 06/05/2026

ASCO 2026 Follow-Up Data Support CAR T Safety and Activity in High-Risk Multiple Myeloma

A professional portrait of an oncology researcher wearing glasses and a bow tie, standing in a modern laboratory setting. Samer Al Hadidi, MD Oncologist smiling in white coat, highlighting cancer research and treatment expertise, with a bow tie, in a bright medical setting. Rohit Gosain, MD

Key Points

  • Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) has moved into earlier treatment lines for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after the CARTITUDE-4 study.
  • Subset analyses support that cilta-cel is safe and effective for patients with high-risk cytogenetic profiles.

Coinciding with the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO 2026), Rohit Gosain, MD, of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, met with Samer Al Hadidi, MD, of UT Southwestern, to discuss the role of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies in multiple myeloma, and the recent data updates for cilta-cel.

Cilta-cel was initially approved for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received at least 4 lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. After the results of the CARTITUDE-4 study, the FDA updated the label to approve cilta-cel for patients who received at least 1 prior line of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and who are refractory to lenalidomide. 


The doctors discussed a CARTITUDE-4 subgroup analysis based on cytogenetic risk profiles presented at ASCO 2026. The data importantly showed that cilta-cel still provided a benefit in high-risk patients and had safety consistent with the overall population. The findings support that cilta-cel has an important balance of safety and efficacy, even in high-risk patients, said Dr. Al Hadidi.