Search

In recent years the role of the radiation therapist (RT) has increasingly evolved. In Australia, one of the major developments has been the transition from practice which was rarely based on scientific evidence, to the profession today which engages in and incorporates research into everyday practice. The aim of this article is to provide an insight into the current status of Australian radiation therapy research. In order to present a national overview, a survey relating to research activity was e-mailed to all (48) clinical centres in Australia. Thirty-six out of the 48 centres responded, representing 13 private and 23 public centres. The results demonstrated that a research culture is beginning to be established and that there are challenges associated with implementing research. The role of universities in facilitating the development of research skills was considered important with an increasing number of practitioners undertaking higher research degrees. Overall, research activity in the Australian radiation therapy community is becoming more prevalent. If the profession is to continue to strengthen its research profile the professional body and universities need to continue providing academic and funding support. Greater focus on multidisciplinary collaboration is needed with direct involvement of RTs in multi-centre studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Talquetamab (anti-G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D) and teclistamab (anti-B-cell maturation antigen) are bispecific antibodies that activate T cells by targeting CD3 and that have been approved for the treatment of triple-class-exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. METHODS We conducted a phase lb-2 study of talquetamab plus teclistamab in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In phase 1, we investigated five dose levels in a dose-escalation study. Talquetamab at a dose of 0.8 mg per kilogram of body weight plus teclistamab at a dose of 3.0 mg per kilogram every other week was selected as the recommended phase 2 regimen. The primary objective was to evaluate adverse events and dose-limiting toxic effects. RESULTS A total of 94 patients received treatment, with the recommended phase 2 regimen used in 44. The median follow-up was 20.3 months. Three patients had dose-limiting toxic effects (including grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 1 patient with the recommended phase 2 regimen). Across all dose levels, the most common adverse events were cytokine release syndrome, neutropenia, taste changes, and nonrash skin events. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events, most commonly hematologie events, occurred in 96% of the patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 64% of the patients. With the recommended phase 2 regimen, a response occurred in 80% of the patients (including in 61% of those with extramedullary disease); across all dose levels, a response occurred in 78%. The likelihood of patients continuing in response at 18 months was 86% with the recommended phase 2 regimen (82% among those with extramedullary disease) and 77% across all dose levels. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of grade 3 or 4 infections with talquetamab plus teclistamab was higher than has been observed with either therapy alone. A response was observed in a high percentage of patients across all dose levels, with durable responses with the recommended phase 2 regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]