This is a prospective study comparing anti-BCMA CAR-T to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation alone in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
1. Pre-screening Evaluation. The patient's medical history will be reviewed to assess eligibility based on inclusion criteria. The treatment process and potential risks will be explained, and informed consent will be obtained. Peripheral blood samples will then be collected to test for HIV and to assess the feasibility of CAR-T cell manufacturing. The CAR-T production unit will evaluate the in vitro expansion capacity and transduction efficiency of the patient's T cells within approximately 1-2 weeks to determine whether the patient's peripheral blood is suitable for large-scale CAR-T cell production. 2. Patient Enrollment and Baseline Data Collection. 2.1 Patients who pass the pre-screening will undergo disease assessment and a series of routine evaluations to confirm eligibility for CAR-T cell therapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. 2.2 Required Baseline Tests (within 4 weeks prior to treatment): Complete medical history and physical examination; Electrocardiogram and cardiac function evaluation (MUGA scan or echocardiography); Pulse oximetry to assess lung function; Serum electrolytes and biochemistry; Peripheral blood flow cytometry for quantification of T cells and CD4:CD8 ratio HIV, hepatitis B (HBsAb, HBsAg, HBeAb, HBeAg, HBcAb), and hepatitis C (HCV Ab) screening; Human anti mouse antibody (HAMA) testing, along with collection of blood and bone marrow samples for DNA extraction and biobanking for future analysis related to tumorigenesis. 3. Autologous Stem Cell Collection and CAR-T Cell Manufacturing. 3.1 Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Collection and Cryopreservation Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) at 300 μg twice daily for 4 days will be administered. Once peripheral blood CD34+ cells reach the collection threshold, apheresis will be performed with a total blood volume of approximately 6 liters to collect autologous hematopoietic stem cells. The minimum cell dose should be ≥2.0 × 10\^6CD34+ cells/ kg. DMSO will be added to the collection bag to a final concentration of 20%. The stem cell product will be stored in cryogenic bags, placed in freezing containers, and stored at -80°C. 3.2 Anti-BCMA CAR-T Cell Manufacturing Apheresis will also be conducted to collect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for CAR-T cell manufacturing, using approximately 6 liters of blood. Lymphocytes not used for production will be cryopreserved for future research or regulatory review. 4. Conditioning Chemotherapy. High-dose melphalan will be used as conditioning therapy beginning 5 days prior to ASCT. The dose ranges from 140-200 mg/m². The purposes of chemotherapy are: To reduce tumor burden; To deplete endogenous lymphocytes and facilitate CAR-T cell expansion; To modulate the tumor immune microenvironment. If absolute neutrophil count (ANC) drops below 1.0 × 10\^9/L post chemotherapy, G-CSF will be administered until ANC exceeds 1.5 × 10\^9/L. Antibiotics may be used prophylactically if neutropenia occurs. 5. Post-conditioning Evaluation. Tumor status will be reassessed after conditioning to evaluate baseline disease burden. This includes physical examination, laboratory tests, bone marrow MRD (minimal residual disease) evaluation, and assessment of chemotherapy-related toxicity. 6. Autologous Stem Cell Infusion. Autologous stem cells (minimum 2.0 × 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg) will be reinfused 2 days after conditioning ends. The cryopreserved product will be thawed at 37°C in a water bath and infused intravenously immediately upon full thaw. Vital signs will be closely monitored before, during, and after infusion at 15-minute intervals until the patient stabilizes. 7. Anti-BCMA CAR-T Cell Infusion. CAR-T cells will be infused. The thawed CAR-T product should be infused within 10-15 minutes, with a dose of 2.0 × 10\^6 cells/kg. Vital signs will be closely monitored before, during, and after infusion at 15-minute intervals until patient stabilization. Acetaminophen 325-650 mg will be administered orally 30-60 minutes before infusion to reduce infusion-related reactions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
Progression-Free Survival (PFS) is defined as the time from the date of CAR-T cell infusion to the date of disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Disease progression will be determined based on the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. Patients who have not progressed or died will be censored at the date of last follow-up.
Time frame: Up to 36 months after CAR-T infusion
Overall Survival (OS)
Overall Survival (OS) is defined as the time from the date of CAR-T cell infusion to death from any cause. Patients who are alive at the time of analysis will be censored at their last known date of follow-up.
Time frame: Up to 36 months after CAR-T infusion]
Objective Response Rate (ORR)
Objective Response Rate (ORR) is defined as the proportion of patients achieving a response of partial response (PR) or better, including PR, very good partial response (VGPR), complete response (CR), and stringent complete response (sCR), according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. The assessment will be based on laboratory parameters, imaging, and bone marrow evaluation, as applicable.
Time frame: Up to 36 months after CAR-T infusion
MRD
The proportion and immunophenotype of plasma cells in bone marrow were analyzed using flow cytometry, with a sensitivity of 10\^-5.
Time frame: Up to 36 months after CAR-T infusion
Adverse Events (AE)
Focus on adverse events related to ASCT and CAR-T, including CRS, ICANS, coagulation disorders, infections, and other complications.
Time frame: Up to 36 months after CAR-T infusion
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