The article discusses the parallels between the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, therapy, survivorship, and end-of-life care. It emphasizes the need for continued research into managing cancer risk during public health emergencies and acknowledges the contributions of reviewing editors, guest editors, and reviewers in the peer review of articles in the special issue. The article also notes the potential long-term presence of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, similar to HIV/AIDS, and the importance of research in developing new medicines, diagnostics, and treatments.

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.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is developing a new imaging method using [68Ga]-pentixafor during PET scans to detect bone damage caused by multiple myeloma more effectively than traditional x-rays. The Phase I study will determine the safe dosage for PET/CT scans in patients with various conditions, including multiple myeloma, with the goal of understanding the uptake of the imaging agent.

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.