[Antibody therapy for multiple myeloma: novel approaches and future perspectives]

Although multiple myeloma has been defined as incurable, and the treatment outcome has recently improved rapidly. Antibodies against multiple myeloma, elotuzumab, and daratumumab can safely enhance their effects even when added to the combination therapy of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators that have been used till date. Initially, triplet therapy combining antibody therapy with doublet therapy was approved in Japan for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In 2019, daratumumab combination therapies were approved for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, and these therapies are the new standard of care. Recently, the results of clinical trials that added daratumumab to the triplet therapies of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, and dexamethasone have been reported. These trials report greater therapeutic effects, with a significant improvement in the MRD negative rate. We hope that quadruplet therapy including these antibodies will be available in clinical practice, leading to further improvements in the treatment outcomes.