Emerging therapies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: CAR-T and beyond

J Hematol Oncol. 2021 Jul 23;14(1):115. doi: 10.1186/s13045-021-01109-y.

Abstract

The pace of innovation of multiple myeloma therapy in recent years is remarkable with the advent of monoclonal antibodies and the approval of novel agents with new mechanisms of action. Emerging therapies are on the horizon for clinical approval with significant implications in extending patient survival and advancing closer to the goal of a cure, especially in areas of immunotherapy such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bispecific T cell engager antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, newer generations of monoclonal antibodies, and small molecule inhibitor and modulators. This review provides an update of current myeloma therapeutics in active preclinical and early clinical development and discusses the mechanism of action of several classes of novel therapeutics.

Keywords: Antibody–drug conjugate; Bispecific antibody; CAR-T; Chimeric antigen receptor; First in human trials; Monoclonal antibody; Multiple myeloma; Review; Small molecule inhibitor; T cell engager; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / immunology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Immunoconjugates