Multiple myeloma (MM) impacts around 35,000 new patients annually in the United States, with over 12,000 deaths. Advances in treatments like proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and monoclonal antibodies have improved outcomes. Induction therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation and maintenance has significantly extended progression-free survival and overall survival rates. However, relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains a challenge due to drug resistance after multiple treatments. CAR T-cell therapy has shown promising results in treating RRMM, even when standard treatments fail.

CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies a patient’s T-cells to target myeloma cells, has been successful in other B-cell cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The FDA has approved two CAR T-cell therapies for RRMM: idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel, both targeting the B-cell maturation antigen. Research is ongoing to improve CAR T-cell persistence, address resistance, and explore earlier treatment use, with hopes of advancing toward a potential cure for MM.

Reference: Parikh RH, Lonial S. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma: A comprehensive review of current data and implications for clinical practice. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(3):275-285. doi: 10.3322/caac.21771.