The efficacy and safety of CAR-T therapy in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yiwei Zhou, Xueqi Xie, Kai Feng et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Searches identified 4,301 articles, of which 29 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled overall response rate was 86%; among responders, 78% achieved minimal residual disease negativity. Median progression-free survival was 9.88 months and median duration of response was 12.17 months. Cytokine release syndrome was common, while severe CRS and neurotoxicity were less frequent; infections, including severe infections, were also reported.
Key findings
- The overall response rate with CAR-T therapy was 86%; among responders, the minimal residual disease negativity rate was 78%.
- Median progression-free survival was 9.88 months, and median duration of response was 12.17 months.
- Any-grade cytokine release syndrome occurred in 83% of patients; 5% had grade ≥3 CRS and 2% had grade ≥3 neurotoxicity.
- Infections occurred in 50% of patients, including grade ≥3 infections in 21%.
Why it matters
The pooled results indicate substantial response activity in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, alongside clinically important risks of CRS, neurotoxicity, and infection. These efficacy and safety estimates can help frame discussions of expected outcomes and treatment-related harms, while recognising that pooled findings summarise evidence across included studies rather than an individual patient's likely course.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not report study-level designs, sample size, or heterogeneity, limiting assessment of how comparable the included evidence was.