Carvykti shows durable remissions in multiple myeloma patients after five years
New data from Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson indicate that half of a small group of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients treated with Carvykti remain in remission after five years. The findings strengthen the case that the CAR-T therapy may offer a cure for some patients. The results were announced on Friday.
The five-year milestone comes from a small patient cohort with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that typically becomes harder to manage after each recurrence. That half of these patients remain in remission at this late stage is striking, since durable responses in this population have historically been rare.
Carvykti, a CAR-T therapy co-developed by Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson, targets a specific protein on myeloma cells. Friday's announcement adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that engineered cell therapies may produce long-lasting remissions — and possibly cures — in some patients who have exhausted standard treatment options.
These findings could shift expectations for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, a group that has historically faced limited options and poor long-term outcomes. If the remissions hold, Carvykti may offer a realistic path toward extended survival or cure for some individuals. The data could also influence how oncologists sequence treatments and how insurers weigh the cost of CAR-T therapy, potentially broadening patient access over time.