Multiple myeloma has long posed significant challenges in the medical field due to its complex nature and resistance to traditional therapies. However, the treatment landscape is rapidly evolving with groundbreaking advancements offering new hope to patients.
There are several current and new treatments available for multiple myeloma, as well as those currently undergoing clinical trials, with the potential to further explore their potential impacts on patients' lives. From innovative drug therapies and immunotherapies to advancements in stem cell transplantation and precision medicine, these cutting-edge approaches are transforming the prognosis and quality of life for those affected by this disease.
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What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that targets plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. A person with myeloma will often experience abnormal growth and accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. This causes damage to the bones and impacts the production of healthy blood cells.
How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?
Multiple myeloma is usually diagnosed following a number of tests carried out by medical professionals. These include blood tests, imaging scans, and a bone marrow biopsy. This series of tests helps to detect abnormal levels of proteins and other substances in the blood, while also identifying any damage to the organs and bones caused by the cancer. To improve the chances of successful treatment and management, early diagnosis is critical for multiple myeloma.
Is multiple myeloma curable?
Unfortunately, multiple myeloma is currently considered an incurable disease. Although tremendous advancements have been made in the treatment and management of the disease, there is no known cure at present.
More positively, with early detection and diagnosis, and proper management, people living with multiple myeloma can live long and fulfilling lives. Ongoing research and clinical trials are contributing to this success, with researchers constantly and consistently working towards finding an effective cure for this complex cancer.
It’s important that individuals living with multiple myeloma continue to work closely with their healthcare and medical team to ensure they receive the best treatment plan for their specific situation and personal circumstances. It’s also vital that the disease is closely monitored for any changes that could affect the course of treatment provided.
Typical multiple myeloma prognosis
Multiple myeloma is a serious condition, and the prognosis for patients diagnosed with it can vary according to a variety of factors. These include disease stage, overall patient health, and the type of treatment they receive.
In general terms, the prognosis for multiple myeloma is not as positive as some other forms of cancer. The five-year survival rate of all SEER stages combined is around 58%, according to the American Cancer Society. Although it’s important to bear in mind that with better advancements in treatments and therapies, many patients are able to live longer and have a better quality of life than these statistics suggest.
Existing treatments for multiple myeloma
As mentioned earlier, there is no treatment that can completely cure multiple myeloma, however, several existing treatments can help to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the cancer. These include chemotherapy, steroids, thalidomide, bortezomib, daratumumab, and stem cell transplants. Many of these treatments can significantly improve the quality of life for a patient, either by reducing symptoms or slowing disease progression.
Like any medical treatment or drug, these treatments can also have side effects that may not make them suitable or effective for all patients. Medical researchers are continuing to research and develop new and more effective treatments for multiple myeloma.
New multiple myeloma treatments
With extensive research into multiple myeloma, medical researchers have developed several new myeloma treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies designed to specifically target cancer cells and minimize damage to healthy cells.
Novel drug combinations and stem cell transplant techniques have also shown promising results in improving the rates of survival for those living with multiple myeloma. With each new treatment, hope for a better quality of life and prolonged survival is improved.
Monoclonal antibody drug treatments
In over a decade, there has been an emergence of multiple myeloma drugs known as monoclonal antibodies. These man-made proteins act like antibodies made by the human immune system, enabling the drugs to bind to other proteins, called antigens, that are abundant on the surface of myeloma cells. One of the most significant and well-known monoclonal antibodies is daratumumab (Darzalex®) which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016, changing the practice of myeloma treatment.
CAR T cell therapies
In 2021, the FDA approved idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma®), and in 2022 ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel or Carvytki™). Both of these are CAR T cell therapies which genetically engineer a patient’s own immune cells, typically B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). In both approvals, the FDA sanctioned the drugs for use on adults with relapsed or refractory (difficult to treat) multiple myeloma.
Several new trials are researching and testing CAR T therapies but targeting a different protein, GPRC5D. This is because, in some cases, the drugs aimed at the first antigen may stop working, so it’s important to have more than one antigen to target with treatment.
Bispecific antibody drug treatments
As a relatively new class of drugs for multiple myeloma, bispecific antibodies have become more prevalent. In these treatments, one part of the antibody recognizes an antigen on one of the patient's own T cells, and the other part recognizes an antigen on the myeloma cell. In 2022, the FDA approved the bispecific antibody teclistamab (Tecvayli™), which targets BCMA.
It has been found that this treatment shrank cancer in 63% of patients in a clinical trial whose cancer was either no longer responding or had progressed after at least three prior therapies. In almost 40% of these patients, the cancer disappeared completely, offering remarkable results.
A similar drug, Elranatamab (Elrexfio™), was approved by the FDA in 2023 with accelerated approval for people with multiple myeloma who had gone through unsuccessful therapies. Results from a phase 2 clinical trial found that this drug shrank cancer in 61% of patients whose cancer had either stopped responding or had progressed after at least four previous therapies. This response was still evident in 71.5% of patients 15 months later.
The FDA also granted accelerated approval to another drug in 2023, talquetamab-tgvs (Talvey™), which can be used for people with resistant forms of multiple myeloma. Targeting GPRC5D, this drug provides an important new treatment option for those who found BCMA-directed drugs didn’t work.
The purpose of conducting clinical trials for multiple myeloma treatment
As a complex and currently incurable cancer, clinical trials form a crucial part of the research landscape for multiple myeloma. Researchers involved in clinical trials for this disease are continually seeking the development of new and more effective treatments for it, while also gaining a better understanding of multiple myeloma and how it progresses.
While hugely beneficial for researchers, clinical trials for cancer are also important for patients and their families. With improved results coming from each new clinical trial, patients are provided with more hope that better outcomes could be provided, or even potentially a cure.
The benefits of taking part in a clinical trial for multiple myeloma
There are several advantages of taking part in a clinical trial for multiple myeloma, both in terms of personal gain and the wider medical research space.
Firstly, clinical trials typically test the latest and most innovative treatments that are unavailable outside of the clinical trial landscape. This means participants can gain access to potentially life-saving therapies that could significantly improve their quality of life and treatment management.
Patients and participants will also be subject to close monitoring and more personalized care which they may not have access to outside of a clinical trial. They will be continually monitored by experienced medical professionals who have a vested interest in multiple myeloma, therefore delivering more specific care and guidance.
Clinical trials are important as they contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge, supporting the improvement of treatment options for future patients. Participating in a clinical trial can also deliver a sense of empowerment, hope, and pride, with patients playing an active role in their own treatment journey while paving the way for others.
Overall, clinical trial participation for multiple myeloma can provide a wide range of benefits for both the individual taking part and the wider medical community.
How to take part in a clinical trial for multiple myeloma
If you’re considering taking part in a clinical trial for multiple myeloma, the first step in getting involved is to speak to your doctor and discuss whether clinical research could be a viable or beneficial option for you. They may be able to provide you with information about ongoing clinical trials they know about, and help you establish whether you meet the criteria for inclusion.
You can also browse our clinical trial database to find any active or recruiting clinical trials near you. Once you’ve found a clinical trial that sounds suitable for you, it’s vital that you review all the information provided and ask any questions about the clinical trial you might have before making a decision on whether you should apply or participate. This includes ensuring you understand the risks and potential benefits, as well as the eligibility criteria and what will be expected of you throughout the trial.
Current clinical trials for multiple myeloma
With the medical research landscape continuing to prioritize multiple myeloma as a disease that needs additional treatment options and greater understanding, there are currently several clinical trials underway. The clinical trials being carried out at present seek to further understand multiple myeloma by addressing various stages and specific patient needs.
- Teclistamab (Tecvayli™): With promising results so far, this new drug is undergoing testing for its efficacy in treating multiple myeloma. It was recently guided through clinical trials to FDA approval, indicating its potential impact on treatment protocols.
- DREAMM-7 Trial: Currently in a phase 3 clinical trial, researchers are investigating the combination of belantamab mafodotin with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Early results suggest it could offer a significant benefit to patients.
- Glutaminase Inhibitor CB-839: This study is currently exploring how inhibiting glutamine utilization in tumor cells can affect cancer progression. This current phase 1 trial is testing CB-839 in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma.
- Anti-CD38 Antibody Drug Conjugate STI-6129: In this trial, researchers are seeking to establish the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) for this drug in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. It is currently assessing safety, preliminary effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics.
- Oral Ixazomib plus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone: This trial, currently in phase 3, focuses on the effectiveness of oral administration for convenience and patient compliance. It compares the combination to a placebo in treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
- Lenalidomide and Low-Dose Dexamethasone: This study is tailored for patients with previously treated multiple myeloma and kidney dysfunction. Researchers here are examining the optimal dosing and side effects.
- PROMISE Study: This progressive cohort study focuses on high-risk individuals to better understand disease progression. Researchers in this study are aiming to identify risk factors for progression from precursor conditions like MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma to active disease.
- Belantamab Mafodotin and Lenalidomide for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in Patients With Minimal Residual Disease Positive After Stem Cell Transplant: This phase II multiple myeloma trial investigates the effect of belantamab mafodotin and lenalidomide on minimal residual disease negative rates in patients with multiple myeloma with minimal residual disease positive after stem cell transplant.
- Study of Belantamab Mafodotin Plus Standard of Care (SoC) in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: This study will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical activity of belantamab mafodotin in combination with Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), dexamethasone (VRd) and will determine recommended phase 3 dose (RP3D) in adult participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).
- Study of BMS-986393 a GPRC5D-directed CAR T Cell Therapy in Adult Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of BMS-986393 in participants with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
- Study of a Plant-Based Diet and Dietary Supplements in People With Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM): The purpose of this study is to look at how butyrate levels change in participants' stool after they are on a plant-based diet or dietary supplements (omega-3, curcumin or probiotics) for 2 weeks.
Conclusion
While multiple myeloma is a deeply complex cancer with no existing cure, the outlook is promising. With several treatment options already approved and delivering good results, and a number of clinical trials underway to further understand and treat the disease, the wider medical landscape is making great strides.
If you’re currently living with multiple myeloma, now could be a good time to look into the possibility of joining a clinical trial. Our clinical trial database includes many clinical trials actively seeking participants across the US which may be a viable option for you subject to discussions with your doctor.
FAQs
What is the most successful treatment for multiple myeloma?
The success of a multiple myeloma treatment is personal to each individual and depends on several factors including the stage of the disease, overall patient health, and individual responses to the treatment.
However, the most commonly used treatments thanks to their success rates are those including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Each of these treatments helps to slow progression of the cancer while improving symptoms and increasing the patient’s overall survival rate.
Are we close to a cure for multiple myeloma?
While no cure is currently on the horizon for multiple myeloma, recent advancements in medical research are bringing hope for a potential cure one day. With technology development and new therapies being uncovered at a rapid pace, researchers are getting closer to finding a cure for multiple myeloma.
Does anyone recover from multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is not necessarily a terminal disease, with early detection and advancements in treatment options, many people are able to live with it for years. Some patients have even gone into remission or experienced long-term survival following a diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
The likelihood of recovery from multiple myeloma depends on factors including age, overall health, and individual response to treatment options. It’s important for those living with the disease to work closely with their doctor to manage it and improve their chances of recovery.