PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Oncology Research Program (ORP) has announced its decision to fund clinical studies focused on the efficacy and safety of elranatamab in treating multiple myeloma. The grants, supported by Pfizer Global Medical Grants, aim to contribute to the growing body of evidence on the use of elranatamab.
Multiple myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, is responsible for approximately 176,000 new cases and 117,000 deaths globally each year. Patients often cycle through multiple lines of treatment as resistance develops to successive regimens. Elranatamab, a BCMA-directed bispecific antibody, has recently gained accelerated approval by the FDA, offering renewed hope for patients with relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma who have previously undergone treatment with at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and one anti-CD38 antibody.
“The goal of this initiative is to fund studies that will expand our understanding of elranatamab’s role in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma,” said Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. “We congratulate the dedicated investigators whose research will play a crucial role in optimizing care for people with multiple myeloma.”
The selected projects include Dr. David Avigan’s research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center examining the effectiveness of a personalized cancer vaccine alongside elranatamab, and Dr. Ah-Reum Jeong’s Phase II study at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center on elranatamab in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Dr. Michael Slade’s project at the Siteman Cancer Center will explore measurable residual disease-guided post-transplant elranatamab maintenance, while Dr. Attaya Suvannasankha’s study at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center will investigate the response-guided treatment discontinuation of elranatamab in frail/elderly patients.
The projects underwent peer review by a Scientific Review Committee composed of leading oncologists from NCCN Member Institutions. The selected studies are set to be completed within five years, with approximately $5 million in funding allocated across all grants.
Through initiatives such as this, the NCCN ORP continues its mission to foster innovation and knowledge discovery that improve cancer patients’ lives. Its support for preclinical, translational, and clinical research, along with quality improvement projects in oncology, reflects its commitment to advancing the field and improving patient outcomes.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.