The Current Landscape and Prospects of iPSCs in BCMA-targeted Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a difficult-to-treat plasma-cell malignancy with heterogeneous pathogenesis and a poor prognosis. Given the limitations of existing treatments, developing approaches that improve efficacy and safety and ultimately achieve long-term remission or even a cure for MM is crucial. The high expression of B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) on malignant Plasma Cells (PCs) makes BCMA an important therapeutic target in MM. BCMA-targeted therapies have produced major advances in the treatment of MM. Here, we summarize conventional regimens and their limitations and examine how restricted cell sources, treatment resistance, and toxicity affect therapeutic outcomes. To address these limitations, MM treatment has entered an era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy; even though CAR-T therapy can induce deep and durable remissions, there are still unmet clinical needs. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based therapies are expected to provide more effective treatment options for MM patients through strategies such as large-scale production of off-the-shelf engineered immune cells and combined therapy.