Multiple Myeloma

Cell-based therapy is becoming an attractive option for the treatment of patients with relapsed (coming back) or refractory (does not respond to therapy) multiple myeloma who have received many therapies before.

In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the use of the 3-drug combination of Kyprolis (carfilzomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone for first-line therapy does not improve outcomes compared with the 3-drug combination of Velcade (bortezomib), lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, which is the current standard of care for this patient population.

On August 5, 2020, the FDA accelerated the approval of Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf; from GlaxoSmithKline), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate, for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least 4 previous therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent.

No one is ready for the initial shock that comes with a diagnosis of cancer. The feelings that accompany a cancer diagnosis may be difficult to imagine beforehand, challenging to process as you hear and attempt to accept the news, and impossible to appreciate fully if you are not the individual who has just been diagnosed.

When you are first diagnosed with cancer, including multiple myeloma, you probably have many questions. You may ask: Do I have a multiple myeloma specialist close to my home? If not, am I able to travel? Should I consider participating in a clinical trial if I am eligible and my doctor recommends it?

Since you were diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you have undoubtedly heard and read all kinds of advice about how you should be treated. Your friends, loved ones, and work colleagues—your support team—as well as your treatment team, which includes your doctors, nurses, social workers, navigators, and other professionals, have so much information and advice to share. They all want to help you choose the course of action that is right for you.

One of the many things that you probably did after receiving a diagnosis of multiple myeloma was to select a doctor and care team. They helped you to learn about multiple myeloma and how to navigate the complexities of treatment decision-making.

After the shock of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma wore off, you have learned a new “language” related to cancer and multiple myeloma care, you have likely read and talked about treatment options, and you may have already started treatment. You may have also joined a support group.