CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies in the management of multiple myeloma

The introduction of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies into clinical practice has revolutionized the treatment landscape of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Both modalities have shown impressive clinical efficacy with slightly different but overall manageable toxicity profiles. At present, two B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted CAR T-cell therapies, idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel, are approved for standard use in the United States. There are currently 4 commercially approved bispecific antibodies: teclistamab, elranatamab, and linvoseltamab, which target BCMA, as well as talquetamab, which targets the GPRC5D antigen on the surface of plasma cells. In this review, we explore (a) the advantages and challenges of integrating CAR T-cell therapy earlier in the RRMM treatment course; (b) the safety and efficacy of bispecific antibodies and their evolving role in the current RRMM treatment paradigm; (c) practical considerations for both modalities, focusing on patient selection and supportive care strategies; and (d) recommendations for sequencing of T-cell redirecting therapies to maximize long-term outcomes.