Outcomes of elderly patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with teclistamab: a multicenter study from the U.S. Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium

Blood Cancer J. 2025 May 9;15(1):92. doi: 10.1038/s41408-025-01297-7.

Abstract

Teclistamab, a BCMA-directed bispecific antibody, received regulatory approval for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) based on the MajesTEC-1 study. Despite the fact that myeloma is primarily a cancer of elderly adults, only 15% of MajesTEC-1 participants (n = 24) were ≥75 years old. In this multicenter retrospective study, we report real-world outcomes of a large cohort of older RRMM patients treated with teclistamab. Of 385 analyzed patients, 83 (22%) were in the older group (age ≥75) and 302 (78%) in the younger group (age <75). Compared to the younger group, the older group had less adverse baseline disease characteristics, including a lower incidence of high-risk cytogenetics (44.6% vs. 57.9%, p = 0.03) and extramedullary disease (22% vs. 40%, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in rates of any-grade CRS (52% vs. 59%, p = 0.27), any-grade ICANS (19% vs. 13%, p = 0.12), and overall response rate (62% vs. 53%, p = 0.17) between the older and younger groups. In multivariable analysis, age was not significantly associated with survival outcomes. Our findings suggest that teclistamab is safe and efficacious in well-selected patients ≥75 years old, and advanced age alone should not preclude teclistamab administration.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma* / mortality
  • Multiple Myeloma* / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological