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Arlo-cel MOA

Arlocabtagene autoleucel (arlo-cel) is an investigational GPRC5D-directed autologous CAR T cell therapy.1

Mechanism of action (MOA) of arlocabtagene autoleucel (arlo-cel) in the QUINTESSENTIAL clinical trials Mechanism of action (MOA) of arlocabtagene autoleucel (arlo-cel) in the QUINTESSENTIAL clinical trials

Investigational arlo-cel is designed to recognize and bind to GPRC5D expressed on multiple
myeloma cells, to target and eliminate GPRC5D-expressing myeloma cells.1,3

Arlo-cel binding to GPRC5D-expressing cells

Arlo-cel binds to GPRC5D-expressing cells.

CAR T cells proliferating

CAR T cells proliferate

CAR T cells secreting cytokines

and secrete cytokines.

Cytolytic destruction of multiple myeloma cells

Cytolytic destruction of multiple myeloma cells occurs.

See how investigational arlo-cel is designed to work

GPRC5D as a therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

GPRC5D is a validated therapeutic target in multiple myeloma. Its expression is independent of BCMA expression and is maintained even after prior BCMA-directed therapy. GPRC5D is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells, with limited expression on other immune cells and restricted expression in healthy tissues.3-5

Targeting GPRC5D may not be associated with B-cell depletion over time and further studies are needed to see if it may help preserve humoral immunity.4

Clinical Trials1,6,7

Clinical trials of arlo-cel are currently ongoing.

  • Trials include, but are not limited to, adult patients with RRMM exposed to lenalidomide
  • In the phase 3 trial, arlo-cel is being evaluated as a one-time infusion as part of a treatment process compared with standard-of-care regimens commonly used in RRMM*
Person with beaker

Arlo-cel is an investigational product being studied for the treatment of multiple myeloma and has not been approved for use in any country.

*Treatment process includes leukapheresis, manufacturing, bridging therapy, administration, and adverse event monitoring.

Explore Arlo-cel Clinical Trials ​

Arlo-cel phase 2 study7

Arlo-cel phase 3 study6,8

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BCMA=B-cell maturation antigen; CAR=chimeric antigen receptor; DPd=daratumumab + pomalidomide + dexamethasone; GPRC5D=G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 5, member D; Kd=carfilzomib + dexamethasone; MOA=mechanism of action; RRMM=relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

References: 1. Popat R, Larson SM, Varshavsky-Yanovsky A, et al. Trial in progress: QUINTESSENTIAL-2—a phase 3 study of arlocabtagene autoleucel versus standard of care in adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) exposed to lenalidomide. Poster presented at: 2025 International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting; September 17-20, 2025; Toronto, Canada. Poster PA-079. 2. Bal S, Htut M, Nadeem O, et al. BMS-986393 (CC-95266), a G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: updated results from a phase 1 study. Presented at: 65th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exhibition; December 9-12, 2023; San Diego, California. Presentation #219. 3. Smith EL, Harrington K, Staehr M, et al. GPRC5D is a target for the immunotherapy of multiple myeloma with rationally designed CAR T cells. Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(485):eaau7746. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aau7746 4. Pillarisetti K, Edavettal S, Mendonça M, et al. A T-cell-redirecting bispecific G-protein-coupled receptor class 5 member D x CD3 antibody to treat multiple myeloma. Blood. 2020;135(15):1232-1243. doi:10.1182/blood.2019003342 5. Rodriguez-Otero P, van de Donk NWCJ, Pillarisetti K, et al. GPRC5D as a novel target for the treatment of multiple myeloma: a narrative review. Blood Cancer J. 2024;14(1):24. doi:10.1038/s41408-023-00966-9 6. A study to compare the efficacy and safety of BMS-986393 versus standard regimens in adult participants with relapsed or refractory and lenalidomide-exposed multiple myeloma (QUINTESSENTIAL-2). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06615479. Updated February 10, 2026. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06615479 7. Study of arlocabtagene autoleucel (BMS-986393) a GPRC5D-directed CAR T cell therapy in adult participants with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (QUINTESSENTIAL). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06297226. Updated February 10, 2026. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06297226 8. Popat R, Larson SM, Varshavsky-Yanovsky A, et al. QUINTESSENTIAL-2: a phase 3 study comparing efficacy and safety of arlocabtagene autoleucel (arlo-cel) versus standard regimens in adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) refractory to lenalidomide. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(16)(suppl):TPS7564. doi:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS7564

This website is for US physicians to provide general information about ongoing BMS clinical trials and as an exchange of scientific information related to arlocabtagene autoleucel. Arlocabtagene autoleucel is not currently approved in any market and has not been evaluated by the FDA as safe or effective for multiple myeloma.

© 2026 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

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