Initial results from an early phase study in multiple myeloma (MM), a form of blood cancer, demonstrate that patients whose disease has come back showed a 100% overall response rate at the clinically recommended dose in patients who had received previous standard therapies. This means the disease reduced by at least 50% in all initial trial participants.
The first results from an ongoing first in human phase 1 study were presented by Dr Rakesh Popat, consultant haematologist at UCLH and honorary associate professor at UCL, at the European Haematology Association (EHA) Congress 2025. UCLH was the highest recruiting site for the initial phase of this global study.
The purpose of the study was to determine the safest, most effective dose of the investigational drug (known as JNJ-79635322) for people who have not responded to initial therapy or who’s disease has come back after their initial therapy for myeloma.
Current treatment for myeloma often helps to control the condition for several years, but in most cases, myeloma cannot be cured. Research is vital therefore to help find new treatments.
JNJ-79635322 is a type of treatment called a trispecific antibody. Antibodies that normally occur in the body attach to proteins that are foreign to your body, such as those found on viruses or bacteria.
The study drug can attach to 2 different parts of cancer cell proteins while the third part attaches to T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that help protect the body from infection and may help fight cancer. By attaching to proteins and T cells, the study drug may help the body fight cancer cells.
Dr Popat presented his analysis of the study, based on 126 patients from sites around the world, to a packed auditorium during the prestigious plenary session at the EHA 2025 Congress in Milan, Italy, answering questions from congress attendees both in the auditorium and online. The abstract was selected as one of the top 6 abstracts of the entire meeting.
Dr Popat, who is also the Cancer Lead for the NIHR UCLH CRF said: “This trispecific antibody represents the next generation of immune therapies and demonstrated a 100% response rate when used at its recommended dose in this first analysis. Overall, the treatment was well tolerated by our patients.
“This data shows that this antibody is able to achieve response rates similar to more recent therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, but with an off the shelf availability that could be delivered in an out-patient setting making it easier for patients and staff.”
Full results will be published after completion of the full phase I study.
The study was delivered at the NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility.
The sponsor of the trial is Janssen Research & Development.
