A new blood cancer drug that can redirect cancer-killing cells toward their target is now accessible in Australia, thanks to a series of clinical trials involving Epworth patients.
Elranatamab was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on April 1, providing access to Australians with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy.
Multiple myeloma is incurable and has one of the lowest life expectancy rates of all blood cancers, with only a 61 per cent chance of surviving for 5 years after diagnosis.
In 2025, 2,755 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Australia – and the number of people diagnosed each year is expected to almost double by 2043.
Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma is where the cancer has returned after improvement following treatment or does not respond to initial treatment.
Epworth first began studying elranatamab to treat multiple myeloma in 2017 and, since then, 23 patients have been treated with the drug across five clinical trials.
Haematologist and Director at the Epworth Centre for Immunotherapies and Snowdome Laboratories, Prof. H Miles Prince AM (pictured), said the results of one of these clinical trials – the phase II MagnetisMM-3 study – directly led to the drug becoming available in Australia to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
The global study showed 61 per cent of patients on the clinical trial had their cancer shrink while 35 per cent had their cancer become undetectable. For most of those patients, their myeloma had not returned even after two years.
“Elranatamab now being listed on the PBS is long-awaited and wonderful news for all patients with myeloma. It shows the importance of clinical trials, where research can turn hope into reality for people with blood cancer,” Prof Prince said.
“We are incredibly grateful to those patients who have taken part in our clinical trials of elranatamab – not only has your participation improved your outcomes, but it will also help to improve the lives of others with myeloma for many years to come.”
The Epworth Centre for Immunotherapies and Snowdome Laboratories is a Centre of Excellence in blood cancer patient treatment and care, made possible through a partnership of the Epworth Medical Foundation and Snowdome Foundation.
The centre continues to take part in five active clinical trials investigating elranatamab as a front-line therapy and in combination with other anti-myeloma therapies.
