A microsimulation model study predicts significant increases in cancer mortality in Canada due to COVID-19 pandemic-related diagnostic and treatment delays. The study estimates 21,247 cumulative excess cancer deaths between 2020 and 2030, constituting a 2.0% increase over expected cancer mortality. The highest excess mortality is expected in 2022, with a return to expected levels by 2027. The model suggests that increasing cancer diagnostic and treatment capacity post-pandemic by at least 10% could avert much of this excess mortality. The impact of the pandemic on cancer mortality is influenced by cancer site, age, and province, with younger patients and those with cancers that have moderate to high net survival experiencing the highest relative mortality increases.

Dr. Yael Cohen presented promising results from a Phase 1 clinical trial at ASCO 2023, showcasing the combination of two bi-specifics, teclistimab and talquetamab, in treating myeloma. The trial, which began on December 15, 2020, and is expected to conclude Phase 1 on November 16, 2023, demonstrated an overall response rate of 86.6% across all dosing levels, with a 96.3% response rate in one dosing arm. The treatment was deemed safe, with manageable side effects, and 61% of patients remained on treatment at data cutoff. The trial's success, particularly in treating extramedullary disease, signals a hopeful future for myeloma patients and warrants attention in subsequent phases.

A Phase I study led by Juan Du, MD, presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting, showed promising results for a new dual CAR T therapy, GC012F (FasTCAR-T Cells), targeting BCMA and CD19 in newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma patients. The study included 13 patients who achieved a 100% overall response rate, with 69% reaching a stringent complete response. The therapy demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with minimal side effects such as cytokine release syndrome, and all patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity at 1, 6, and 12 months post-infusion. The fast production time of GC012F is particularly beneficial for high-risk patients who require effective and timely treatment.

A new CAR T cell therapy targeting GPRC5D, known as BMS-986393, has shown initial safety and efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma, including those previously treated with BCMA CAR T therapy. Presented by Susan Bal, MD at the American Society of Hematology meeting, the Phase I clinical trial indicated that the drug was safe at all tested dose levels, with most cytokine release syndrome cases being grade 1 and neurotoxicity being infrequent and reversible. The overall response rate was high, with durable responses and MRD negative complete responses observed, suggesting that GPRC5D-directed CAR-T Therapy with BMS-986393 could be a new treatment option for relapsed/refractory myeloma.