Teclistamab

Teclistamab, sold under the brand name Tecvayli, is a human bispecific monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. It is a bispecific antibody that targets the CD3 receptor expressed on the surface of T-cells and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is expressed on the surface of malignant multiple myeloma B-lineage cells.

The most common side effects include hypogammaglobulinemia (low immunoglobulin or antibody levels in the blood, which increases the risk of infection), cytokine release syndrome, neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection), anemia (low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin), pain in the muscles and bones, tiredness, thrombocytopenia (low levels of blood platelets, components that help the blood to clot), injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) infection, lymphopenia (low levels of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell), diarrhea, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), nausea (feeling sick), fever, headache, cough, constipation and pain.

Teclistamab is the first bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager. Teclistamab was approved for medical use in the European Union in August 2022, and in the United States in October 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication.