MajesTEC-9 Data and Teclistamab in Earlier Treatment Lines for Multiple Myeloma
Key Points
- Treatment with teclistamab, either in combinations or as monotherapy, has shown significant benefits in earlier lines of therapy for patients with multiple myeloma.
- While teclistamab is convenient for community settings, community oncologists should have adequate prophylaxis and management plans for notable toxicities.
Speaking with Sawyer Bawek, DO, of Cleveland Clinic, myeloma expert Hamza Hashmi, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shared his perspective on the MajesTEC-9 presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and the growth of teclistamab for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Teclistamab is no longer only for heavily pretreated patients, as it has shown significant benefit in earlier lines of therapy both in combination with daratumumab and in daratumumab-refractory patients, said Dr. Hashmi. Teclistamab is additionally exciting because it’s readily available off the shelf and can be easily administered in the community setting for patients with rapidly progressing multiple myeloma, he added.
When using teclistamab, community oncologists need clear cytokine release syndrome management algorithms, including staff education, fever triage pathways, and available hospital admittance, if needed. Primary prophylaxis against infections with intravenous immunoglobulin is crucial, and antiviral prophylaxis and updated vaccinations are also recommended.
In the greater treatment landscape for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, Dr. Hashmi tends to prefer chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies in patients that meet all eligibility criteria. Conversely, teclistamab may be a better fit for patients that are elderly, frail, have major comorbidities, or, importantly, have rapidly progressing disease and need therapy sooner.