Overview of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Opinion
Video

The expert panel provides an overview of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with a focus on current therapeutic options and unmet needs in the treatment space.

This is a video synopsis/summary of a Between the Lines series featuring Donna Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC; Cesar Rodriguez, MD; and Saad Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP.

Usmani distinguishes between relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Refractory disease progresses on therapy, whereas relapsed disease recurs after a treatment-free interval of at least 2 months. Management involves selecting optimal regimens based on patient and disease factors and prior treatment tolerance. If disease is triple-class refractory, options narrow but new targets such as BCMA and GPRC5D enable chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and bispecific antibody therapies. Two CAR T-cell products targeting BCMA are approved: idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Bispecifics include teclistamab and elranatamab.

Despite emerging treatments, unmet needs remain, including CAR T-cell accessibility, capacity for bispecific antibodies, managing renal dysfunction and frailty, post-BCMA progression, and high-risk cytogenetics.

Video synopsis is AI generated and reviewed by CancerNetwork® editorial staff.

Related Videos
Caitlin Costello, MD, with the Oncology Brothers
Caitlin Costello, MD, with the Oncology Brothers
Caitlin Costello, MD, with the Oncology Brothers
Caitlin Costello, MD, with the Oncology Brothers
Nurses should be educated on cranial nerve impairment that may affect those with multiple myeloma who receive cilta-cel, says Leslie Bennett, MSN, RN.
Treatment with cilta-cel may give patients with multiple myeloma “more time,” according to Ishmael Applewhite, BSN, RN-BC, OCN.
Nurses may need to help patients with multiple myeloma adjust to walking differently in the event of peripheral neuropathy following cilta-cel.