Researchers of a phase 3 trial evaluated patient-reported outcomes from the CARTITUDE-4 study, comparing ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) with standard-of-care regimens in patients with lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma. Involving 419 patients across 81 global sites, the study found that cilta-cel significantly prolonged progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints focused on quality of life (QoL) and symptom burden, using tools like the MySIm-Q, EORTC QoL Questionnaire, and EQ-5D-5L. Median follow-up was 15.9 months, and baseline compliance for patient-reported outcomes exceeded 90% in both groups.

Patients receiving cilta-cel experienced a median time to sustained symptom worsening of 23.7 months vs 18.9 months with standard care. Improvements in QoL were more pronounced in the cilta-cel group, with a +10.1-point gain in global health status compared to a –1.5-point change for standard care. Similarly, EQ-5D-5L scores improved by +8.0 points for cilta-cel vs +1.4 points for standard care. The study concluded that cilta-cel not only improves clinical outcomes but also enhances health-related quality of life and delays symptom progression in this difficult-to-treat population.

Reference: Badamo M. CARTITUDE-4 Trial: Cilta-Cel Improves Quality of Life, Delays Symptom Worsening in MM. Blood Cancers Today. Published January 15, 2025. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.bloodcancerstoday.com/post/cartitude-4-trial-cilta-cel-improves-quality-of-life-delays-symptom-worsening-in-mm