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Antibody-Based Treatment Approaches in Multiple Myeloma

  • Multiple Myeloma (P Kapoor, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The field of multiple myeloma treatment has entered a new era with antibody-based approaches in clinical practice. In this review, we focus on the clinical approaches of utilizing antibody-based modality, specifically monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bispecific T-cell antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Recent Findings

Three monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, isatuximab, elotuzumab) and one anti-BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) antibody-drug conjugate (belantamab mafodotin) have been approved by the FDA in the last 5 years for the treatment of multiple myeloma. There are many ongoing clinical trials using novel targets and constructs, including bispecific antibodies against BCMA, GPRC5D, and FCRH5. In addition to exploring efficacy, there are ongoing efforts to overcome the resistance to therapy.

Summary

Antibody-based therapy has improved the outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and has been incorporated in the standard of care. We expect to see novel targets and constructs that can achieve a deeper and more durable response while minimizing toxicity, as well as better strategies for toxicity management for existing agents. We also expect that antibody-based strategies will be used in earlier lines of therapy in the future.

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Acknowledgements

Figure 1 was created with BioRender.com.

Funding

SS was supported by KL2TR003143, KL2 Mentored Career Development Program, Stanford Clinical Translational Science Award Program

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Hitomi Hosoya

  2. Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA

    Hitomi Hosoya & Surbhi Sidana

  3. Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room H0101c, Stanford, CA, USA

    Surbhi Sidana

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Correspondence to Surbhi Sidana.

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Conflict of Interest

Hitomi Hosoya; no conflicts of interest. Surbhi Sidana: Consultancy and research funding: Janssen; research funding: Magenta Therapeutics, Allogene.

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Hosoya, H., Sidana, S. Antibody-Based Treatment Approaches in Multiple Myeloma. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 16, 183–191 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-021-00624-6

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