talquetamab at a glance
Medicine class
GPRC5D- and CD3-directed bispecific antibody
Licensed use
Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in previously treated adults
Administration
Injection under the skin, given by a trained healthcare professional
Important risks
Cytokine release syndrome, neurological toxicity and serious infection
What is talquetamab used for?
UK-licensed use:
Used alone in adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma that progressed on the most recent treatment, after at least three previous therapies including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor and an anti-CD38 antibody.
How does talquetamab work?
Talquetamab binds GPRC5D on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells. Bringing these cells together activates the T cell, which releases substances that kill the GPRC5D-expressing cell.
talquetamab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 2 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL
How to take talquetamab
Talquetamab is prepared and given by specialist staff as an injection under the skin, usually in the abdomen or thigh.
Premedicines such as a corticosteroid, antihistamine and fever-reducing medicine are given during the initial step-up phase to reduce reaction risk.
Early administrations require close observation for cytokine release syndrome and neurological effects.
Injection sites should avoid tattoos, scars, damaged skin and areas that are red, bruised, tender or hard.
talquetamab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Changes or loss of taste, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
- Nail changes, rash, itching or dry skin
- Muscle and bone pain, tiredness and weight loss
- Reduced appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, constipation or abdominal pain
- Low red cells, white cells or platelets
- Upper respiratory infections, fever, cough or headache
- Injection-site reactions
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills, low blood pressure, breathing difficulty or fast heartbeat suggesting cytokine release syndrome
- Confusion, reduced alertness, speech difficulty, severe sleepiness or seizures suggesting neurological toxicity or ICANS
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or other signs of serious infection
- Unusual bleeding or bruising associated with low platelets
- Severe swallowing difficulty, dehydration or marked weight loss
- Severe or rapidly worsening rash or allergic reaction
talquetamab in pregnancy
Talquetamab is not recommended during pregnancy because fetal effects are unknown and antibodies of this type can cross the placenta. Pregnancy status should be checked before treatment, and effective contraception is required during treatment and for three months afterwards. Specialist advice is needed immediately if pregnancy occurs; live vaccines may need to be delayed in an exposed newborn.
talquetamab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether talquetamab enters breast milk, and serious effects in a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment or for at least three months afterwards; discuss feeding plans with the specialist team.
talquetamab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Give the specialist team a complete list of prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products.
Sensitive CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4/5 or CYP2D6 substrates
Cytokine release may temporarily reduce CYP activity and increase exposure; medicines for which small concentration changes are hazardous require closer toxicity or concentration monitoring.
Live viral vaccines
Immune responses may be reduced and live viral vaccination is not recommended around or during talquetamab treatment.
Common questions about talquetamab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is talquetamab used after several previous myeloma treatments?
Its UK licence covers adults whose myeloma has returned or become resistant after specified major treatment classes and progressed on the most recent therapy.
Is talquetamab chemotherapy?
No. It is a bispecific antibody that directs the patient's T cells towards myeloma cells.
What is cytokine release syndrome with talquetamab?
It is an immune reaction that may cause fever, chills, low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, headache or a fast heartbeat and requires prompt assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.