Multiple Myeloma

The stem cell transplantation utilization rate in the United States increased from 2008 to 2014, but was lower among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks compared with non-Hispanics whites.

Combination treatment with pembrolizumab, pomalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone resulted in durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Combined treatment with lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone plus transplantation significantly delayed progression in patients with multiple myeloma.

Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma experienced significant indirect social costs from their disease, in addition to the direct costs.

Dose-attenuated bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (VCD-lite) is a viable treatment option for vulnerable or frail adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The FDA has expanded the approval of lenalidomide to include its use as maintenance therapy for patients with multiple myeloma following autologous stem cell transplant.

In this interview we discuss the latest therapy developments in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

There was no association between conventional response outcomes, such as complete response or very good partial response, and survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Upfront treatment with melphalan and ASCT should be the standard treatment approach for younger patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Adding bortezomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were not planned for immediate stem-cell transplant.

The combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone with 160 mg daily ricolinostat, a selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor, was well tolerated and active in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Here we outline the most promising novel cellular immune strategies for patients with multiple myeloma. In addition, we highlight combinatorial approaches that, it is hoped, will further optimize cellular immunotherapies for myeloma and lead to deep and durable responses and, possibly, even cures.

This interview examines a study that looked at the health-related quality of life of multiple myeloma patients in a real-world setting who underwent maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplant.

Administration of bb2121, a novel anti–B-cell maturation antigen CAR T-cell therapy, produced anti-tumor responses in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, according to interim data from a phase I trial.

The FDA has approved daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or bortezomib and dexamethasone for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

Patients with multiple myeloma may have improved tolerance of panobinostat when combined with low-dose thalidomide and subcutaneous bortezomib, according to the results of the phase I/II MUK-six trial.

Treatment at a facility with a higher patient volume was associated with a lower risk of mortality for patients with multiple myeloma, even after adjustment for sociodemographic and geographic factors and comorbidities.

Longer durations of maintenance therapy with lenalidomide were associated with longer survival among patients who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma.

Adding daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The addition of carfilzomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone improved health-related quality of life compared with treatment with lenalidomide/dexamethasone alone among patients with relapsed multiple myeloma enrolled in the ASPIRE trial.

Adding the CD38-targeting monoclonal antibody daratumumab to bortezomib and dexamethasone resulted in significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma.

Socioeconomic factors affected the care and survival of younger patients with multiple myeloma, but race/ethnicity itself did not influence survival.

Treatment with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone improved the poor prognosis associated with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities of multiple myeloma.

A new study found that monitoring of minimal residual disease in a group of elderly patients with multiple myeloma proved to have important prognostic value, regardless of patient age or cytogenetic risk.

Continuous lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone reduced the risk for progression in untreated multiple myeloma patients who were ineligible for stem cell transplantation.

CD38 expression was associated with response to daratumumab monotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Grade 3/4 neutropenia is a common adverse event experienced by patients undergoing treatment for relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, a new study has found.

In this article, we elucidate the rationale for use of novel drug combinations in patients with myeloma, and review current evidence-based data supporting the use of specific combinations in various settings. We also attempt to craft a framework to guide clinicians in optimizing the use of combination therapies, to enable patients to derive maximal benefit.

A new study has found an association between body mass index and the risk for multiple myeloma among African Americans in the United States.

Adding ixazomib to the combination of lenalidomide/dexamethasone resulted in a more than 35% improvement in the risk for disease progression or death in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.