Unveiling the Digital Landscape of CAR-T Therapies in Multiple Myeloma Using Social Media Insights

The rapid evolution of novel chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies, including Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) and Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel), have revolutionized the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, their real-world impact on patient and physician experiences, and perceptions remain important topics of ongoing investigation. This study aims to perform a comprehensive digital analysis to measure sentiment expression by different health care stakeholders and to identify health information needs related to MM CAR-T therapies. This digital analysis utilized publicly available data related to CAR-T therapies approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory MM from various online sources related to CAR-T therapies. The data analysis covered the time period from May 21, 2021 to May 21, 2023 using the web indexing tool Talkwalker. Quantitative analysis involved applying filters and Boolean search terms to segment the data. Additionally, a qualitative assessment was conducted by reviewing posts related to the key topics of interest. Individuals who self-identify as healthcare professionals (HCPs) based on their bio, social media name, byline in news articles, or other indications were included in stakeholder analysis. Among 471.5K MM posts generated over the 2-year study period, 47,909 posts were about CAR-T therapy, and 13,117 posts specifically commented on either Carvykti (55%) or Abecma (45%). CAR-T therapy was most referenced in posts discussing efficacy, safety, and time to cytokine release syndrome (CRS), with more posts mentioning Carvykti (57%) than Abecma (43%). The most prominent key themes of pressing challenges and needs among CAR-T therapy posts were cost (60.5%), post-CAR-T care (38.6%), and access (37.5%). Among HCPs, the significant key theme of pressing challenges and needs was post-CAR-T infusion care considerations (58.6%), such as extended hospital stays to manage immune-mediated toxicities. Both Carvykti and Abecma were mentioned similarly on various topics related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, including access to CAR-T therapies (87% vs. 74%), diversity in clinical trials (19% vs. 17%), geographic location implications (9% vs. 15%), and racial disparities (3% vs. 4%). Our findings highlight the importance of demystifying cost perceptions and implementing comprehensive post-CAR-T care protocols aligned with the concerns expressed in social media discussions for improvement in CAR-T therapies for multiple myeloma. By leveraging the power of social media data, this study offers valuable real-world insights that can inform clinical decision-making, enhance patient-centered care, and contribute to the development of strategies to overcome challenges associated with CAR-T therapies in multiple myeloma.