Exploring a different approach to multiple myeloma treatment

(BPT) - Sanofi developed and sponsored this article in collaboration with Donna Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC, who was compensated for her time.

For most people, time is simply how they measure their day. But for someone living with cancer, time takes on a completely different meaning. It becomes a precious resource - one that is too often spent in clinic waiting rooms or tethered to an intravenous (IV) pole. It's especially relevant for those with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer affecting over 200,000 Americans.^[1] Multiple myeloma treatment often means frequent clinic visits for IV infusions, which can amount to hours sitting in a clinic chair, disrupting patients' daily lives and adding an entirely different burden to an already challenging disease.

Cancer care teams see that burden up close every day. Donna Catamero, an oncology nurse practitioner and associate director of myeloma research at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, has spent more than two decades caring for people with multiple myeloma. She has seen how long infusion visits affect patients - and how preparing, administering and monitoring IV treatments can make it more difficult for nurses to balance their responsibilities with workflows, symptom management and providing patients with emotional support.

"Over the years, I've seen how frequent, lengthy IV infusion visits can wear on patients - not just physically, but emotionally, as treatment becomes a major part of their lives," said Catamero. "For nurses, the time required to administer and monitor treatment can limit opportunities for meaningful patient interaction, particularly the conversations and personal connection that help patients feel supported throughout treatment."

An alternative method for receiving treatment

On July 9th, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Sarclisa Escena™ (isatuximab-irfc) in combination with standard-of-care regimens for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.^[2] Most notably for patients and care teams, it is the first cancer treatment approved in the U.S. for use with an on-body injector (OBI). Sarclisa Escena is administered by a healthcare provider subcutaneously using the CirCLIQ™ OBI, a hands-free, automated injector that eliminates the need for a continuous manual push.

SARCLISA ESCENA is a prescription medicine used in combination with:

The medicines pomalidomide and dexamethasone, to treat adults who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor to treat multiple myeloma.

The medicines carfilzomib and dexamethasone, to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have already received 1 to 3 lines of treatment, and they did not work or are no longer working.

The medicines bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, to treat adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant).

Serious side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA include allergic reactions (systemic administration reactions), injection site reactions, decreased white blood cell counts, infections, risk of new cancers, and changes in blood tests. Heart failure can happen during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone. These are not all the possible side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA. Please see additional Important Safety Information in this article below. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

In addition to a significantly shorter treatment time compared to traditional IV infusions, the CirCLIQ OBI utilizes a retractable needle that is shorter and thinner than those commonly used for large-volume injections. For providers, the hands-free CirCLIQ may transform the administration process, with the potential to offer more capacity to focus their time and attention on their patients.

"This is a welcomed innovation in the multiple myeloma community," Catamero added. "For eligible multiple myeloma patients, this alternative treatment approach may shorten treatment sessions, potentially giving them more time to focus on the people and priorities that matter most. It also empowers nurses to focus more of our attention squarely on the patient, rather than the mechanics of an IV infusion."

Reclaiming time for life beyond multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma can affect many aspects of a person's life, from physical and emotional well-being to work, family responsibilities and daily routines. While changes in treatment administration do not lessen the seriousness of multiple myeloma or eliminate the need for ongoing care, reducing some of the time and logistical demands associated with therapy could potentially make the experience more manageable for patients and give nurses more time to focus on direct patient care and support.

"Cancer may dictate a lot of things, but how a patient spends their time shouldn't always have to be one of them," said Catamero. "With advancements like the on-body injector, the narrative of a treatment day is shifting. It's no longer just about enduring a process; it's about empowering patients and nurses to potentially reclaim some of their time."

For those living with multiple myeloma, it's a powerful reminder that while the journey is challenging, innovation continues to put the focus exactly where it belongs: on the people, not just the disease, and enabling them to potentially thrive beyond the demands of their condition and treatment.

If you or a loved one are affected by multiple myeloma, visit www.Sarclisa.com to learn more.

What is SARCLISA ESCENA?

SARCLISA ESCENA is a prescription medicine used in combination with:

• The medicines pomalidomide and dexamethasone, to treat adults who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor to treat multiple myeloma.
• The medicines carfilzomib and dexamethasone, to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have already received 1 to 3 lines of treatment, and they did not work or are no longer working.
• The medicines bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, to treat adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant).

It is not known if SARCLISA ESCENA is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

Do not receiveSARCLISA ESCENA if you have a severe allergic reaction to isatuximab-irfc or any of the ingredients in SARCLISA ESCENA (see the list of ingredients in the full Prescribing Information).

Before you receive SARCLISA ESCENA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have an infection.
• Have heart problems, if your healthcare provider prescribes SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone for you.
• Have had shingles (herpes zoster).
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SARCLISA ESCENA can harm your unborn baby.
  Females who are able to become pregnant:
  - Your healthcare provider will check for pregnancy before you start treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  - Use an effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 7 months after your last dose of SARCLISA ESCENA. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
  - Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you are pregnant or become pregnant during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  Females and males:Before receiving SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with either pomalidomide or lenalidomide, females and males must agree to the instructions in the pomalidomide or lenalidomide REMS programs. The pomalidomide and lenalidomide REMS programs have specific requirements about birth control, pregnancy testing, blood donation, and sperm donation that you need to know. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about pomalidomide or lenalidomide.

• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SARCLISA ESCENA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA and for 7 months after your last dose.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How will I receive SARCLISA ESCENA?

• SARCLISA ESCENA will be given to you by your healthcare provider as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in the stomach area (abdomen). Your healthcare provider will either use the CirCLIQ^TM On-Body Injector or a syringe to inject SARCLISA ESCENA. Your healthcare provider will rotate the injection site for each injection, including for other medicines.
• SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, or SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasoneis given in treatment cycles of 28 days (4 weeks).
  -Cycle 1 (28-day cycle), SARCLISA ESCENA is given weekly.
  -Cycle 2 and beyond (28-day cycles), SARCLISA ESCENA is given every 2 weeks.
  
  

• SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is given in treatment cycles of 28 days (4 weeks).
  -Cycle 1 (28-day cycle), SARCLISA ESCENA is given weekly.
  -Cycles 2 to 12 (28-day cycles), SARCLISA ESCENA is given every 2 weeks.
  -Cycles 13 and beyond, SARCLISA ESCENA is given every 4 weeks.
  
  

• Your healthcare provider will decide how many treatments you will receive.
• Your healthcare provider will give you medicines before each injection of SARCLISA ESCENA, to help reduce the risk and severity of allergic reactions, for at least Cycle 1 of treatment.
• If you miss any appointments, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

What are the possible side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA?

SARCLISA ESCENA can cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions.SARCLISA ESCENA can cause severe or life-threatening allergic reactions throughout the body (systemic administration reactions). Your healthcare provider may stop your injection and not complete it or completely stop treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA if you have an allergic reaction. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you develop any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction including:
  • shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing
  • swelling of the face, mouth, throat, or tongue
  • throat tightness
  • heart beating faster than usual
  • dizziness
  • lightheadedness or fainting
  • headache
  • cough
  • skin rash or itching
  • nausea
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • chills
    
    

• Injection site reactionscan happen at or near the SARCLISA ESCENA injection site. Symptoms of these local skin reactions include redness, swelling, and pain. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop injection site reactions during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  
  
• Decreased white blood cell counts. Decreased white blood cell counts are common and can be severe during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA. If fever occurs, this may be a sign that you have an infection. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA and may prescribe medicine to help increase your white blood cell counts. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any fever or symptoms of infection during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  
  
• Infections. SARCLISA ESCENA can cause infections that are severe, life-threatening, or that can lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of infection before and during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines for you to help prevent infections and treat you as needed if you develop an infection during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop a fever or any signs or symptoms of infection during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  
  
• Risk of new cancers. New cancers have happened in people during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for new cancers during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA.
  
  
• Change in blood tests.SARCLISA ESCENA may affect the results of blood tests to match your blood type for at least 6 months after your last injection of SARCLISA ESCENA. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to match your blood type before you start treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA. Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are being treated with SARCLISA ESCENA before receiving blood transfusions.

The most common side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone include:

• upper respiratory tract infection
• lung infection (pneumonia)
• tiredness
• muscle and joint pain
• diarrhea
• trouble sleeping
• COVID-19
• constipation
• swelling of the hands, legs, ankles, and feet

The most common side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone include:

• upper respiratory tract infection
• muscle and joint pain
• lung infection (pneumonia)
• high blood pressure
• COVID-19
• trouble sleeping
• diarrhea
• fever

The most common side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone include:

• tingling or numbness of the arms or legs
• constipation
• diarrhea
• tiredness
• muscle and joint pain
• upper respiratory tract infection
• reaction at the injection site
• trouble sleeping
• nausea and vomiting
• skin rash
• skin redness
• swelling throughout the body (edema)
• COVID-19
• back pain
• low blood pressure
• lung infection (pneumonia)
• bronchitis
• muscle spasm
• weight decreased
• flu
• urinary tract infection
• fever
• abdominal pain

The most common abnormal blood test results during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA combination therapies include:

• decreased white blood cell counts
• decreased red blood cell counts
• decreased platelet counts

Heart failure can happen during treatment with SARCLISA ESCENA in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• trouble breathing
• cough
• swelling of your ankles, feet, and legs

These are not all of the possible side effects of SARCLISA ESCENA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visitwww.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see accompanying fullPrescribing Information, includingPatient Information.

MAT-US-2601890-v2.0-11/2026

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