Johnson & Johnson Reports Significant Survival Benefit in Phase 3 Study of Carvykti for Multiple Myeloma
Johnson & Johnson has announced promising findings from the phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 trial, showing that Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) provides a statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared to standard therapies for patients with relapsed or lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma after one prior line of therapy. This one-time infusion marks the first cell therapy to demonstrate such a survival benefit as early as second-line treatment.
Dr. Jordan Schecter, Vice President of Multiple Myeloma at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, emphasized the impact of these results in advancing care for multiple myeloma patients. Updated data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide.
Carvykti, a BCMA-directed genetically modified T-cell therapy, received initial FDA approval in 2022 and has since expanded its indication to include patients refractory to lenalidomide. The therapy works by reprogramming a patient’s own T-cells to target BCMA-expressing myeloma cells, offering a new treatment option for this incurable blood cancer.
Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells in the bone marrow and remains a significant health challenge globally. The approval and ongoing development of Carvykti represent a crucial advancement in the field, offering hope to patients with limited treatment options.