Off-the-shelf Immune Drug for Aggressive Multiple Myeloma: Teclistamab

This November on CureTalks - Teclistamab for aggressive myeloma, birth control pills in PCOS management & lung cancer treatment advances

November 29, 2021

RECENT Talks

Off-the-shelf Immune Drug for Aggressive Multiple Myeloma: Teclistamab

with Dr. Alfred L. Garfall

Nov 3, 2021, 12:00 PM EST

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for teclistamab in the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This follows a PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) received earlier this year. The Breakthrough and PRIME designations are supported by data from the Phase 1 MajesTEC-1 study, an open-label, multicenter clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of teclistamab in adults with measurable multiple myeloma that is relapsed or refractory to established therapies or be intolerant of those established multiple myeloma therapies. Multiple Myeloma that has relapsed and has become refractory to treatment, represents a patient population with unmet needs. Teclistamab is a bispecific IgG4 antibody that binds BCMA and CD3 to redirect T cells to multiple myeloma cells. According to the investigators, the current study is—to their knowledge—the first report of a T-cell–redirecting bispecific antibody for the treatment of patients with cancer. The Myeloma panel of Gary Petersen, Jack Aiello, and Cynthia Chmielewski takes a deep dive on Teclistamab with Dr. Alfred L. Garfall hematologist oncologist from University of Pennsylvania.

Panelists

Dr. Alfred L Garfall

Gary Petersen

Cynthia Chmielewski

Jack Aiello

Priya Menon

Oct 26, 2021, 3:00 pm EST

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Birth control pills or oral contraceptive pills (OCP) can be used for long-term treatment in women with PCOS who are not planning pregnancy. These pills have been shown to help regulate many PCOS symptoms such as irregular periods, extra hair growth and acne. However, due to the association of PCOS with metabolic syndrome, there is a controversy regarding the risks versus benefits of birth control pills in women with PCOS. Many women experience various side effects as well as withdrawal effects of birth control pills. Dr Carolyn Alexander of Southern California Reproductive Center will help us understand the science behind use of birth control pills in PCOS treatment, the risks and benefits involved, and other alternatives touching upon recent research in hormone combinations more effective in PCOS management. PCOS patients advocates Lisa Rosenthal and Tatiana Alafouzo will guide the discussion from the patient panel.

Panelists

Dr Carolyn Alexander

Lisa Rosenthal

Tatiana Alafouzo

Shweta Mishra

OCT 5, 2021, 6:30 pm EST

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Lung cancer, the most common cancer type with the highest mortality, can largely be categorized by the genetic mutations that cause it. By targeting the specific genetic mutation behind a patient’s cancer, targeted therapies have enabled increasing numbers of patients to experience fewer toxic side effects and, often, live free of disease following their treatment. KRAS mutations, which are found in about one-quarter of solid tumors and are the leading cause of lung cancer driving the growth of about 25,000 new lung cancers each year. However, in spite of being discovered four decades ago, they were deemed ‘undruggable’, until earlier this year when FDA approved the first targeted therapy for lung cancer caused due to the KRAS mutation. We are talking to Dr. Kevan Shokat and Dr. Trever Bivona on lung cancer mutations, new treatments, trials and more. Lung cancer patient advocates Terri Conneran and Lisa Goldman joins the panel to bring in the patient perspectives.

Panelists