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Updated: Aug 6, 2025

An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells
Published on: July 15, 2015
Clinical evidence for immune-based strategies in early-line multiple myeloma: current challenges in decision-making
Noopur Raje1, María-Victoria Mateos2, Shinsuke Iida3
1Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. nraje@partners.org.
Abstract:
Almost all patients with multiple myeloma (MM) will eventually develop disease that has relapsed with or become refractory to available treatments and will require additional therapy. However, data are still lacking on how best to sequence regimens in the relapsed/refractory (RR) setting after the failure of early-line lenalidomide, bortezomib, and/or daratumumab, the most commonly used agents in clinical practice today. With the treatment landscape rapidly changing in response to emerging clinical trial data and approvals of several new drugs and additional combinations, it is critically important to focus on patients with RRMM. Variability in patient baseline characteristics, such as the number of prior lines of treatment, refractoriness to prior treatments, prior stem cell transplant, and timing and dosing of prior lenalidomide, makes it difficult to select the best options for patients with RRMM for whom first-line treatments have failed. The aim of this review is to provide both an overview of current therapies and future directions within the RRMM treatment landscape, and a framework for clinicians to choose the most promising next treatment option.
Insights
Patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) need new treatment strategies after initial therapies fail. This review offers guidance on sequencing treatments for RRMM, addressing a critical gap in clinical decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Multiple myeloma (MM) frequently relapses or becomes refractory to treatment.
- Current treatment guidelines lack specific sequencing data for regimens after initial therapies like lenalidomide, bortezomib, and daratumumab fail.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging therapies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
- To provide a framework for clinicians to select optimal next-line treatments for RRMM patients post-initial therapy failure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical trial data and drug approvals.
- Analysis of treatment sequencing challenges in RRMM.
Main Results:
- The treatment landscape for RRMM is rapidly evolving with new drugs and combinations.
- Patient-specific factors (prior treatments, refractoriness, transplant history) complicate treatment selection.
Conclusions:
- Effective sequencing of therapies is crucial for managing RRMM.
- A structured approach is needed to guide treatment choices in this complex patient population.
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