Condensed vs. Standard Step-Up Dosing Schedule of Talquetamab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

To compare the incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between two different step-up dosing (SUD) schedules with talquetamab, the standard SUD schedule of Days 1, 4, 7, and 10 and a condensed SUD schedule of Days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study across seven academic medical centers in the United States and included patients who received talquetamab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The incidence and grade of severity of CRS and ICANS were compared between patients receiving the standard SUD schedule and the condensed SUD schedule.

A total of 144 patients were included in our analysis; 33 received the standard SUD schedule and 111 received the condensed SUD schedule. The incidence of CRS (76% vs. 56%; p = 0.101) and ICANS (9% vs. 16%; p = 0.41) was similar between the standard and condensed SUD cohorts. There was no significant difference in the severity of CRS and ICANS between both cohorts.

Shortening the interval between talquetamab SUDs appears feasible and well-tolerated in routine clinical practice.