--- title: "Cancer Treatment Updates: CAR-T Moves Earlier in Relapsed Myeloma, a New Bispecific Antibody Enters Priority Review, and Innovative Drugs Join China's Essential Medicines List" url: "https://www.yyhmedical.com/en/news/myeloma-car-t-first-relapse-guideline-innovation-drug" type: Article inLanguage: en-US category: Medical Advances datePublished: 2026-07-16 --- # Cancer Treatment Updates: CAR-T Moves Earlier in Relapsed Myeloma, a New Bispecific Antibody Enters Priority Review, and Innovative Drugs Join China's Essential Medicines List > Three recent cancer-care updates: a new myeloma guideline moves CAR-T earlier in the treatment pathway, the world's first PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody to reach the marketing stage has entered China's priority-review pathway, and the updated National Essential Medicines List adds a number of innovative therapies. Summary: This article highlights several recent developments in hematologic and solid-tumor care. The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of First Relapsed Multiple Myeloma in China (2026) introduce the concepts of early relapse and functional high-risk disease and recommend considering CAR-T therapy earlier, including at first relapse for selected patients. The marketing application for opamtistomig (LBL-024), a PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody, has entered the priority-review pathway at China's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). The National Essential Medicines List (2026 Edition) adds 117 medicines, including several innovative therapies for hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases, and takes effect on September 1, 2026. July brought several new developments across hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. These include updated treatment guidelines, innovative medicines moving through regulatory review, and continued progress in the clinical use and payment support of CAR-T therapy. Here is a patient-friendly roundup of several updates that may be particularly relevant to patients and families. **Updated Myeloma Guideline: Some Patients May Consider CAR-T Earlier** In March 2026, the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of First Relapsed Multiple Myeloma in China (2026) were formally published. One of the most important changes for patients with myeloma is that CAR-T therapy has moved earlier in the treatment pathway. The guideline notes that multiple myeloma is still considered incurable, but the first relapse can be an important opportunity to achieve another deep response. At this stage, many patients may still have relatively preserved immune function and overall fitness, which can make them better able to benefit from newer treatment options. For the first time, the guideline introduces the concepts of "early relapse" and "functional high-risk" disease. For patients in these higher-risk groups, CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies are recommended as important treatment options rather than being reserved only for very late-line treatment. The guideline also emphasizes reassessment after relapse, including cytogenetic testing and PET/CT when appropriate, so that treatment can be tailored to the type of relapse. Not every relapse requires treatment to begin immediately. Source: CAR-T Home **PD-L1/4-1BB Bispecific Antibody Opamtistomig Enters Priority Review** In July, Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. announced that the marketing application for its investigational PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody opamtistomig (LBL-024) had been proposed for priority review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). If approved, it would become the first PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody to reach the market globally. The proposed indication is advanced extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EP-NEC). The marketing application is based on a pivotal registrational study led by Prof. Lin Shen. The study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of opamtistomig in patients with advanced EP-NEC whose disease progressed after at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. ![0302d8cb-bdcc-4e3a-be1c-16da6cc38dd0.png](https://gaobo-byh-h5.oss-accelerate.aliyuncs.com/images/20260914/14a3537793ad897fa1660d0342838741_20260914000932.png "14a3537793ad897fa1660d0342838741_20260914000932.png")  Screenshot source: CDE website EP-NEC is an aggressive cancer. Once the disease progresses after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, later-line treatment options have historically been limited, which is why new therapeutic approaches are closely watched. Beyond EP-NEC, opamtistomig is also being studied in a range of solid tumors, including lung, gastric, liver, biliary tract, esophageal, triple-negative breast, and ovarian cancers. The drug remains under regulatory review. Whether it is ultimately approved, and the exact indication included in any approval, will depend on the regulator's final decision. Sources: Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd.; Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), NMPA **More CAR-T Products, More Individualized Treatment Options** As one of the earlier clinical centers in China to provide CAR-T therapy, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital has completed institutional filing for seven approved CAR-T products. These products cover two established targets, CD19 and BCMA, with indications including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other diseases. In addition to approved products, the hospital is also conducting multiple CAR-T clinical studies in diseases such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, providing additional treatment opportunities for eligible patients. ![8ae6ea90-93af-47f3-8dae-ebd2e8b518ae.png](https://gaobo-byh-h5.oss-accelerate.aliyuncs.com/images/20260914/2dbd4471b94e01016deff149e53f073e_20260914001012.png "2dbd4471b94e01016deff149e53f073e_20260914001012.png") Source: Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital **China Updates Its National Essential Medicines List, Adding More Innovative Therapies** China's National Health Commission recently released the National Essential Medicines List (2026 Edition), which takes effect on September 1, 2026. The National Essential Medicines List is not the same as China's national medical-insurance reimbursement list. Instead, it is a key national framework intended to support the availability and standardized use of essential medicines in healthcare institutions. Inclusion can help improve clinical access to these medicines. The updated list adds 117 medicines, including a number of innovative treatments relevant to hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. ![7fbea53f-6331-4d2c-b48e-a1b294000188.png](https://gaobo-byh-h5.oss-accelerate.aliyuncs.com/images/20260914/bdec1f4b8f02a6dcd4737b85cdedb11a_20260914001028.png "bdec1f4b8f02a6dcd4737b85cdedb11a_20260914001028.png")  For patients, this means that more innovative medicines with established clinical value are gradually being incorporated into China's essential-medicines system, which may support broader and more standardized access over time. Source: National Health Commission, National Essential Medicines List (2026 Edition) From updated treatment guidelines and new medicines moving through regulatory review to expanding clinical research and access support, these changes may not immediately alter every patient's treatment plan, but they continue to broaden the range of options that may be available in the future. We will continue to follow new developments in hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, neuroscience, and related fields, and translate complex medical information into updates that are easier for patients and families to understand. --- Original (HTML):https://www.yyhmedical.com/en/news/myeloma-car-t-first-relapse-guideline-innovation-drug This is a clean Markdown mirror for large language models; the original page is authoritative.