Novel approaches to the treatment of multiple myeloma

The treatment landscape for multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved significantly over the last decade with the approval of novel therapies and combinations in the newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory settings. There has also been a shift toward a risk-adapted approach to induction and maintenance regimens, with the goal of achieving better response rates for those with high-risk disease. The incorporation of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies into induction regimens has led to longer progression-free survival and higher rates of measurable residual disease negativity. In the relapsed setting, the emergence of B-cell maturation antigen-directed therapy, including antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and more recently, bispecific antibodies, has produced deep and durable responses in heavily pretreated patients. This review article describes novel approaches to the treatment of MM in both the newly diagnosed and the relapsed/refractory setting.