Redefining Cure in Multiple Myeloma: Are We Chasing a Moving Target?

Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell malignancy, remains incurable despite significant therapeutic advances, including novel immunotherapies like chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and bispecific antibodies. This perspective reevaluates the concept of "cure" in MM, challenging the traditional binary definition of complete disease eradication. The author proposes a dynamic, patient-centric model integrating sustained minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, functional cure, and quality of life (QoL) to align clinical goals with biological realities.

This perspective reviews current literature on MM pathophysiology, focusing on intratumoral heterogeneity and bone marrow microenvironment interactions as drivers of therapeutic resistance. It critiques existing cytotoxic and immunomodulatory paradigms and explores emerging strategies, including precision medicine, single-cell genomics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven risk stratification, to redefine therapeutic endpoints.

Novel immunotherapies achieve deep responses, with MRD negativity rates approaching 80% in some cohorts; however, relapse remains a significant challenge due to subclonal evolution and dormant MM clones. Current treatment paradigms fail to fully address these biological complexities, necessitating innovative approaches that combine therapies, target resistant clones, and incorporate patient-reported outcomes to balance efficacy with QoL.

Reframing cure as a spectrum rather than an absolute state offers a more realistic framework for MM management. By leveraging precision medicine and integrating QoL considerations, clinicians and researchers can foster durable remissions and improve patient outcomes. This perspective advocates for a paradigm shift, urging the MM community to embrace biological complexity and redefine success in this evolving therapeutic landscape.