Training Academy

This Cancer Network Training Academy program provides an overview of the emerging role of cereblon E3 ligase modulators (CELMoDs) in multiple myeloma, beginning with their mechanism of action and differentiation from established immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), including lenalidomide and pomalidomide. Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Dr. Paul Richardson, and Dr. Scott Goldsmith discuss how CELMoDs engage the cereblon pathway and promote degradation of Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3), with consideration of their direct antimyeloma and immune-modulatory effects. The discussion then examines emerging clinical experience with iberdomide and investigational agents such as mezigdomide and cemsidomide, including data from clinical studies and considerations related to efficacy and safety. Two clinical scenarios illustrate how these concepts may apply to patients with multiple myeloma progressing after lenalidomide maintenance and to those with heavily pretreated disease following BCMA-directed T-cell-engaging therapy. The program concludes by considering the evolving clinical development of CELMoDs and their potential role in multiple myeloma treatment.

This Cancer Network Training Academy program brings together leading multiple myeloma experts, Dr. Binod Dhakal, Dr. Carol Ann Huff, and Dr. Prerna Mewawalla, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving treatment landscape for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The faculty explore how increasing use of anti-CD38-based quadruplet regimens in frontline therapy is reshaping treatment decision-making at relapse, with particular focus on patient identification, definitions of daratumumab refractoriness, and therapeutic selection in the second-line setting and beyond.

The discussion reviews emerging evidence for BCMA-directed bispecific antibodies, including recently presented data from the MajesTEC clinical program, and examines how efficacy outcomes, safety considerations, dosing strategies, and differences in trial populations may influence clinical practice. Through expert discussion and case-based scenarios, the panel addresses sequencing considerations relative to CAR T-cell therapy, management of adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome and infections, and practical implementation across academic and community settings. The program provides a balanced overview of current evidence and evolving treatment strategies that may help inform individualized care for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Panelists discuss the evolving role of BCMA-directed bispecific antibodies in early relapse multiple myeloma. Focus will be on interpreting recent phase 3 clinical data, examining the mechanistic rationale for combination approaches, and considering how emerging evidence may influence treatment sequencing.

Panelists will review key efficacy and safety findings, explore relevant patient subgroups including those with prior anti-CD38 exposure, and apply these insights to real-world case scenarios.

Panelists discuss first-line treatment strategies and best practices for managing non–clear cell renal cell carcinoma, highlighting clinical trial data on efficacy and adverse events, and exploring multidisciplinary approaches to mitigate toxicities and enhance patient outcomes.

Brian Rini, MD; Arpita Desai, MD; Sundhar Ramalingam, MD; and Scott Tykodi, MD, PhD, discuss how to select among the 4 major FDA-approved immunotherapy-based doublet regimens (ipilimumab-nivolumab, pembrolizumab-axitinib, nivolumab-cabozantinib, and pembrolizumab-lenvatinib) for first-line treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, considering factors such as disease burden, patient comorbidities, toxicity profiles, and individual patient preferences while reviewing long-term efficacy data and discussing future therapeutic directions, including novel immunotherapies and biomarker development.

Panelists discuss the evolving treatment landscape for renal cell carcinoma beyond the first line, highlighting the importance of personalized sequencing strategies that balance efficacy, safety, and patient quality of life through the use of targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and emerging clinical data.

Panelists discuss how the evolving landscape of EGFR-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, including novel therapies like amivantamab and subcutaneous administration, requires a focus on patient-centered care, shared decision-making, and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes and manage adverse effects effectively.

Douglas Sborov, MD; Mary Steinbach, NP; and Kelley Julian, PharmD, BCOP, discuss 3 complex cases of patients with myeloma with late-line, heavily pretreated disease and why they opted to treat these patients with BCMA- and GPRC5D-directed bispecifics. They also focus on expected toxicities and supportive care strategies to maximize patient tolerability of R/R MM treatment drugs and drug sequencing in patients who are difficult to treat.

Cesar Rodriguez Valdes, MD; Binod Dhakal, MD; Appalanaidu Sasapu MD, FACP, and Leo Shunyakov, MD, discuss how optimizing care transitions for multiple myeloma patients receiving bispecific therapy requires a multifaceted approach involving standardized protocols, enhanced communication between academic and community oncologists, patient-centered care models, and innovative technologies to address current challenges and future needs in ensuring seamless, high-quality care across all treatment settings.

Salman Fazal, MD; Yvonne Efebera, MD; Sumit Madan, MD, Ruemu Birhiray, MD, discuss how evaluating real-world efficacy and safety outcomes of GPRC5D-targeted therapies, along with identifying practical challenges and considerations, can guide the implementation of bispecifics in community practices.

A panel of experts on relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma review clinical trial data on novel therapies and drug combinations and discuss treatment decision-making and sequencing practices.

A panel of experts on multiple myeloma review recent clinical trial data and discuss the evolving treatment landscape, focusing on the role of bispecific therapy.

A panel of experts on multiple myeloma have a comprehensive discussion on the monitoring and management of adverse effects associated with GPRC5D therapy.

A panel of experts on multiple myeloma share clinical practices and discuss the transition of care between academic and community oncology settings.

Experts on multiple myeloma present patient cases and have a comprehensive discussion on the management of adverse events associated with CAR T-cell therapy, including CRS, ICANS, and other toxicities.

A panel of experts on multiple myeloma review patient cases and discuss the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory disease, highlighting sequencing strategies and clinical trials that are informing treatment decisions.

A panel of experts on multiple myeloma discuss the role of CAR T-cell therapy in the evolving treatment landscape, highlighting clinical trial data, recent approvals, and clinical practices.

Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, FACP; Sandip Patel, MD; Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, and Christine Bestvina, MD, analyze real-world non-small cell lung cancer cases, sharing their treatment strategies and insights gained from their clinical experiences.

Experts on non–small cell lung cancer review clinical trial data and discuss their evolving treatment practices for patients with EGFR alterations.

Expert panelists share experiences and best practices from a payer perspective regarding the use of bispecifics in patients with multiple myeloma.

A team of panelists from the Mayo Clinic review how they incorporate bispecific antibodies into their treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma.

Binod Dhakal, MD, MS, and a panel of experts in multiple myeloma provide a look at an upcoming Cancer Network Training Academy program discussing how to incorporate bispecific antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma, and how healthcare systems implement step-up dosing, treatment doses and transition of care. The panel also offers insights into the recommended strategies for monitoring patients receiving treatment with bispecifics.

A panel of experts discusses recent updates in the role of bispecific antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma and the optimal sequencing strategies.

A panel of experts discusses recent updates in the role of bispecific antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma, and the optimal strategies for monitoring and managing infections in patients receiving treatment with bispecifics.

Expert panelists discuss priming with bispecifics in patients with multiple myeloma, using patient cases to illustrate how CRS and ICANS are diagnosed and managed.

Key opinion leaders in the field of multiple myeloma share a comprehensive discussion centered on clinical data behind both BCMA- and non–BCMA-targeting bispecifics within the treatment landscape.