Managing side effects: guidance for use of immunotherapies in multiple myeloma

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and bispecific T-cell recruiting antibodies have transformed the treatment landscape for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with B-cell maturation antigen being the most common target and other targets in clinical development. However, these therapies are associated with unique and severe toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), delayed neurotoxicity, cytopenias, and infection. In addition, immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)–like syndrome (IEC-HS), which exhibits overlap between CRS and HLH, can be challenging to diagnose and treat. In this review, we provide an overview of toxicities associated with novel immunotherapies for treatment of multiple myeloma and describe management recommendations. The pathophysiology and risk factors behind these toxicities are not yet comprehensively understood. Based on consensus recommendations, treatment for CRS consists of tocilizumab and steroids, while treatment for ICANS includes steroids and anakinra in severe cases. Management of cytopenias and infection is similar to post–hematopoietic cell transplantation principles with antimicrobial prophylaxis, growth factor support, immunoglobulin replacement, and vaccinations. In contrast, effective treatments for delayed neurotoxicity and IEC-HS are lacking, although steroids and anakinra are commonly used. Management of all these toxicities should include a broad differential and multidisciplinary collaboration with infectious diseases, neurology, and/or critical care providers.