At the end of every month, the International Myeloma Foundation Newsroom will feature a wrap-up of some of the most fascinating studies about multiple myeloma from medical journals. Here is the June 2025 edition.

The IMF team of medical editors has provided overviews of key studies. Yet, we encourage you to visit the actual articles in the journals for full details and to increase your understanding. Check the IMF Newsroom monthly for updates like this one.

In the Journals (Key Myeloma Research in June 2025)

"Medical writing bias in myeloma clinical research: A comprehensive analysis"

Source

ElSayed, Adam1,2; Mettias, Sarah1; Danis, Ryan1; Kim, Susanna3; Berenson, James R.1,2,3. Medical writing bias in myeloma clinical research: A comprehensive analysis. Perspectives in Clinical Research 16(2):p 106-107, Apr–Jun 2025. | DOI: 10.4103/picr.picr_58_24 

Overview

The multiple myeloma (MM) drug market is growing fast, expected to hit $33 billion by 2030. With so much at stake, a recent study asked an important question: Are drug companies influencing how research is written and shared with doctors and patients?

What Did the Study Look At?

Researchers analyzed clinical trial papers published between 2000 and 2023 on 10 common MM drugs, including Velcade® (bortezomib), Kyprolis® (carfilzomib), Darzalex® (daratumumab), and Revlimid® (lenalidomide). They looked for signs of medical writing bias (MWB)—when drug companies help write or fund research papers in ways that may favor their products.

To count as biased, a paper had to:

• Study a drug made by the sponsoring company
• Acknowledge that company employees or paid medical writers helped prepare the manuscript

What Did They Find?

Bias is increasing. In 2007–2008, only 4% of papers showed signs of MWB. By 2023, that number jumped to 44%.

Some drugs had much higher rates of bias than others:

• Sarclisa® (isatuximab): 93%
• Ninlaro® (ixazomib): 77%
• Darzalex® (daratumumab): 76%

Some journals showed more bias than others, but top journals like The New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet had lower percentages overall.

Why It Matters

When drug companies help write or influence research papers, positive results may be exaggerated, and negative ones may be left out. This can:

• Mislead doctors about how well a drug really works
• Affect patient care and treatment decisions
• Create unfair advantages for certain drugs

The study highlights the need for greater transparency in medical research. As patients, it’s important to know that not all published studies are truly independent, especially when big money is involved. Honest, unbiased research is essential to make sure you and your doctor can trust the information guiding your care.

 

 

"Increase of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Regulatory T Cells in Myeloma. Clin Lab"

Source

Park HS, Oh SG, Son BR, Lee YP, Kwon J. Increase of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Regulatory T Cells in Myeloma. Clin Lab. 2025 Jun 1;71(6). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.241208. 

Overview

Researchers looked at a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. These cells normally help control the immune system—but in cancer, they can sometimes protect tumors from being attacked by the body’s defenses.

What Did the Study Find?

Treg cells were 2.5 times higher in people with myeloma compared to healthy individuals.

This increase was measured using advanced lab techniques on blood and bone marrow samples.

Higher Treg levels were linked—though not strongly—to increased M-protein in urine, which can be a sign of disease activity.

Why It Matters

More Treg cells in the tumor environment may weaken the body’s ability to fight myeloma, and could be linked to worse outcomes. These cells might become a useful biomarker—a sign doctors can watch to track disease severity or progression.

People with myeloma may have more Treg cells, and these could play a role in how the disease develops or worsens. Understanding these immune changes could help improve future treatments.

 

 

"Prodigiosin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through influencing amino acid metabolism in multiple myeloma"

Source

Bingjie Wang, Rui Shi, Wanqing Du, Jiaojiao Guo, Nihan He, Yinghong Zhu, Han Yu, Hongyu Lu, Liyuan Zhong, Xingli Li, Wen Zhou, Fei Yang, Xiangling Feng, Prodigiosin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through influencing amino acid metabolism in multiple myeloma, Bioorganic Chemistry, Volume 159, 2025, 108349, ISSN 0045-2068, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108349. June 1, 2025.  

Overview

Many patients with multiple myeloma (MM) face challenges with drug resistance and the high cost of current treatments. A new study looked at a compound called prodigiosin as a possible alternative.

What Is Prodigiosin?

Prodigiosin is a naturally occurring red pigment with known anti-cancer properties. Researchers tested it in the lab and in mice to see how it affects myeloma cells.

Key Findings:

• Prodigiosin slowed down the growth of myeloma cells and caused them to die (apoptosis).
• It had little effect on healthy B cells, which means it could be less toxic to normal cells.
• In mice, prodigiosin also reduced the size of myeloma tumors.
• The compound works by blocking how myeloma cells use amino acids, which are essential for their growth and survival.

Why It Matters:

Prodigiosin could become a safer, more affordable treatment option for multiple myeloma. While it's still in early testing stages, it shows promise as a new way to fight the disease—especially for patients who have run out of options or can't afford expensive therapies.

Prodigiosin may offer a low-cost and less toxic way to treat multiple myeloma by starving cancer cells of the amino acids they need to grow.

 

 

"Myeloablative Radioligand Therapy Targeting C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 in Advanced Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Dreher, Niklas MD*,†; Dörrler, Anna-Lena MD*; Kraus, Sabrina MD‡; Rasche, Leo MD‡; Higuchi, Takahiro MD, PhD*; Samnick, Samuel PhD*; Lapa, Constantin MD†; Einsele, Hermann MD‡; Serfling, Sebastian E. MD*; Buck, Andreas K. MD*; Werner, Rudolf A. MD§,∥. Myeloablative Radioligand Therapy Targeting C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 in Advanced Multiple Myeloma. Clinical Nuclear Medicine 50(6):p 495-500, June 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000005813    

Overview

For people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma (r/r MM), preparing the body for a stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a key step toward treatment success. A new study looked at using a special type of radiation therapy called CXCR4-directed radioligand therapy (RLT) to help with that process.

What Is CXCR4 RLT?

CXCR4 is a marker found on blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells. This therapy uses radioactive compounds that target CXCR4 to wipe out bone marrow cells, making room for healthy stem cells during transplant.

What Did the Study Find?

38 patients received a total of 40 treatment cycles of CXCR4 RLT.

The treatment significantly lowered blood counts, including:

• White blood cells by 81.8%
• Neutrophils by 69.4%
• Platelets by 63.1%

These drops are expected and help clear space in the bone marrow for new stem cells.

Was It Safe?

• Side effects were mostly mild to moderate. Only 1.7% were serious (grade 3 or higher).
• 97.5% of patients were able to move on to the next phase: chemotherapy before transplant.
• All patients who continued to transplant had the procedure.
• Nearly 95% successfully rebuilt their white blood cell counts afterward, called neutrophil engraftment.

Why This Matters

CXCR4 RLT may offer a powerful, targeted way to prepare relapsed myeloma patients for a stem cell transplant—with good safety and strong results.

CXCR4-directed radiation therapy could be a helpful new step in preparing myeloma patients for stem cell transplant, offering both effective bone marrow clearance and a smooth path to recovery.

 

 

"Efficacy and Safety of triplet versus doublet regimens in patients with multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis"

Source

Zilu Meng, Hanxue Zheng, Yanhong Li, Jun Bai, Liansheng Zhang, Lijuan Li, Efficacy and Safety of triplet versus doublet regimens in patients with multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Current Problems in Cancer, Volume 56, 2025, 101202, ISSN 0147-0272, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101202. June 2025.  

Overview

Doctors often use combinations of drugs—called regimens—to treat multiple myeloma (MM). These regimens usually include either two drugs (doublet) or three drugs (triplet). A recent study looked at how these two approaches compare in terms of effectiveness and safety.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers reviewed data from 29 studies involving more than 11,000 patients with MM. Here’s what they discovered:

• Triplet regimens helped patients live longer and stay in remission longer (better overall survival and progression-free survival) than doublet regimens.
• However, patients on triplets were more likely to have serious side effects, especially grade 3 or higher adverse events (meaning more severe).
• Patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma benefited the most from triplet therapy.
• For newly diagnosed patients and older adults, the benefit of using three drugs over two was less clear.

What Does This Mean?

Triplet regimens may offer better outcomes, especially if the cancer has relapsed or isn’t responding to treatment. But they also carry a higher risk of side effects. Choosing the right treatment often depends on your age, health, and how your myeloma is behaving.

Three-drug treatments may help some patients live longer, but they can also cause more serious side effects. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for your situation.

 

 

"The 3D genome of plasma cells in multiple myeloma"

Source

Zhang, K., Chen, M., Chen, M. et al. The 3D genome of plasma cells in multiple myeloma. Sci Rep 15, 19331 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03132-2 June 2, 2025. 

Overview

Scientists are working to better understand multiple myeloma (MM) at the molecular level to find new and more effective treatments.

What Did This Study Do?

For the first time, researchers used a special technique called Hi-C analysis to map how the DNA inside myeloma cells is organized and how that affects gene activity. They studied plasma cells from five MM patients and combined this with other detailed genetic tests.

Key Findings:

• They found 19 DNA regions (called TADs) that looked different in MM cells. These were linked to important pathways like immune system function and Wnt signaling, both of which affect how myeloma behaves and grows.
• They discovered many DNA loops that bring together parts of the genome that control how genes are turned on and off.
• The analysis showed several genetic changes (like mutations and copy number variations) that may affect how certain genes work.
• Some of the genes were involved in p53 signaling (important for controlling cancer growth) and cell adhesion (how cells stick and move).
• Several genes were connected to how the immune system identifies and responds to cancer.

Why It Matters

This research gives scientists a deeper understanding of what’s happening inside myeloma cells at the DNA level. These findings may help identify new drug targets or ways to make existing treatments more effective in the future.

This study opens the door to new possibilities for treating multiple myeloma by uncovering how gene activity and DNA structure change in cancer cells.

 

 

"Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics identifies select triacylglycerol species as differentially abundant in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with multiple myeloma compared to monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance"

Source

Chawla, Y., Anderson, E.I., Jevremovic, D. et al. Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics identifies select triacylglycerol species as differentially abundant in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with multiple myeloma compared to monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. Metabolomics 21, 73 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-025-02271-x  June 1, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers are learning more about how changes in the bone marrow environment may influence the development of multiple myeloma (MM) from its early stage, MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance).

This study looked at whether lipids—fat-like molecules in the bone marrow—play a role in this transition.

What Did the Study Find?

Scientists compared bone marrow samples from 22 MGUS patients and 24 MM patients.

• They found clear differences in the types of lipids (fats) present:
• MM patients had more complex, long-chain fat molecules with high unsaturation (more chemical double bonds).
• MGUS patients had simpler fats with shorter chains and fewer double bonds.
• MM patients with more cancerous plasma cells had lipid patterns that strongly matched this MM profile.

Why It Matters

These findings show that metabolic changes in fat molecules may be linked to the progression from MGUS to myeloma. This could:

• Help identify new biomarkers (early warning signs of disease)
• Lead to the development of new treatments that target how myeloma cells use fats

Changes in bone marrow fat composition may be a clue to how MGUS turns into multiple myeloma. This discovery could help improve early detection and guide future therapies.

 

 

"Potential surrogate endpoint for B-cell hematologic malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis"

Source

Hirano, S., Hanada, K. & Maeda, H. Potential surrogate endpoint for B-cell hematologic malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 15, 19300 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05053-6  June 2, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma (MM) and certain types of lymphoma, one of the biggest challenges in recent years has been proving how well a new treatment works, especially as newer therapies are helping patients live longer.

This study looked at whether an early sign of success called complete response rate (CRR)—which means the cancer is no longer detectable—can be used to predict longer periods without disease progression, known as progression-free survival (PFS).

What Did the Study Find?

• Researchers analyzed 52 clinical trials for multiple myeloma and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• They compared how often patients achieved a complete response (CRR) with how long they stayed free of disease progression (PFS).
• They found a strong link between CRR and PFS in lymphoma trials.
• In myeloma, the connection was moderate, but still meaningful.

Why It Matters

If CRR can be trusted as an early sign that a treatment is working, it could:

• Speed up drug approvals
• Help doctors make treatment decisions sooner
• Offer quicker insights into how effective a therapy might be

Achieving a complete response early in treatment may be a good sign of how long myeloma stays under control, but more research is needed to confirm how reliable this is for all patients.

 

 

"Antitumor effect of BC12-3 on multiple myeloma via proteasome inhibition"

Source

Li, H., Jia, G., Zhang, N. et al. Antitumor effect of BC12-3 on multiple myeloma via proteasome inhibition. Med Oncol 42, 235 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02804-3  June 3, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma is one of the most common blood cancers, second only to lymphoma. Current treatments often include proteasome inhibitors (PIs) like Velcade® (bortezomib, or BTZ), which block a system cancer cells use to survive. While effective, these drugs may cause serious side effects, and over time, many patients stop responding to them.

Researchers have developed a new drug called BC12-3 to overcome some of these problems. They tested it in the lab and in mice to see how well it works and how safe it is.

Key Findings:

• BC12-3 strongly killed multiple myeloma cells in lab tests.
• It works by stopping cancer cells from dividing and by triggering cell death (apoptosis).
• It targets a specific part of the proteasome system, the β5 subunit, which may make it more precise.
• In mice, BC12-3 slowed tumor growth just as well as BTZ but showed fewer side effects.
• Safety testing also suggested BC12-3 is well tolerated in the body.

Why It Matters

BC12-3 could become a safer, more effective option for people with multiple myeloma, especially those who can't tolerate or no longer respond to current drugs like bortezomib.

BC12-3 is a new experimental drug that shows strong potential to treat multiple myeloma with fewer side effects—offering hope for better treatment in the future.

 

 

"Isatuximab Subcutaneous by On-Body Delivery System vs Isatuximab Intravenous Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Phase 3 IRAKLIA Study"

Source

Sikander Ailawadhi et al. Isatuximab Subcutaneous by On-Body Delivery System vs Isatuximab Intravenous Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Phase 3 IRAKLIA Study. JCO 0, 10.1200/JCO-25-00744 

 

Overview

The IRAKLIA trial looked at two different ways to give Sarclisa® (isatuximab), a key drug used with Pomalyst® (pomalidomide) and dexamethasone to treat people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)—those whose cancer has relapsed or stopped responding to treatment.

What Was Studied?

This was the first Phase 3 trial to test Sarcilisa (isatuximab) delivered through an on-body delivery system (OBDS)—a small device worn on the body that slowly delivers the drug under the skin—compared to the traditional IV (intravenous) method.

Key Results:

• Over 500 patients took part, with half getting isatuximab by OBDS and half by IV.
• After 12 months, response rates were nearly identical:
• 71.1% for OBDS
• 70.5% for IV
• The drug levels in the blood (how much medicine was present over time) were actually higher with OBDS, showing it worked just as well—if not better.

Infusion reactions (side effects like chills or fever during or after treatment) were much lower with OBDS:

• Only 1.5% with OBDS vs. 25% with IV
• Injection site reactions were rare and mild (0.4%) with OBDS.

Why This Matters:

The OBDS version of isatuximab may offer a faster, easier, and more comfortable treatment experience, without reducing effectiveness. It could also save time in the clinic and reduce the need for long IV infusions.

Isatuximab delivered through a wearable device works just as well as IV, and it may be safer and more convenient for patients with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Long-Term (≥5-Year) Remission and Survival After Treatment With Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Sundar Jagannath et al. Long-Term (≥5-Year) Remission and Survival After Treatment With Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel in CARTITUDE-1 Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. JCO 0, JCO-25-00760 DOI:10.1200/JCO-25-00760  June 3, 2025 

Overview

The CARTITUDE-1 study looked at how well the one-time CAR T-cell treatment of Carvykti® (cilta-cel) worked for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Here's what you need to know:

One infusion, lasting results: After one cilta-cel infusion, 1 in 3 patients (32 out of 97) were still alive and free from cancer five years later, without needing any ongoing treatment.

Deep remission: In a smaller group of 12 patients tracked closely, all had no signs of cancer on blood tests or scans five years after treatment.

Who did best: Patients who stayed in remission tended to start with less cancer, had stronger immune cells in the treatment, and had better blood counts at the start.

Safety: The treatment's side effects were similar to earlier reports—no new safety concerns.

Why this matters:

This is the first time a study has shown that cilta-cel might offer a potential cure for some people with multiple myeloma that had relapsed or stopped responding to other treatments.

If you've been through multiple treatments, this therapy could offer a new option with long-lasting results.

 

 

"MIDAS Study Group. Measurable Residual Disease-Guided Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma"

Source

Perrot A, Lambert J, Hulin C, Pieragostini A, Karlin L, Arnulf B, Rey P, Garderet L, Macro M, Escoffre-Barbe M, Gay J, Chalopin T, Gounot R, Schiano JM, Mohty M, Leleu X, Manier S, Mariette C, Chaleteix C, Braun T, De Prijck B, Avet-Loiseau H, Mary JY, Corre J, Moreau P, Touzeau C; MIDAS Study Group. Measurable Residual Disease-Guided Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2505133 

Overview

Doctors are learning that measurable residual disease (MRD)—tiny amounts of cancer left after treatment—can help guide the next steps in treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, especially in patients healthy enough for a stem cell transplant.

What the study looked at:

Researchers studied patients who had already received a powerful combination treatment (Isa-KRd). Based on their MRD test results, patients were divided into groups to try different follow-up (consolidation) treatments:

• MRD-negative patients (very little or no myeloma left after induction):
  • Some got a stem cell transplant (ASCT) plus more Isa-KRd.
  • Others skipped the transplant and just got more Isa-KRd.
• MRD-positive patients (some cancer still present):
  • Some had two stem cell transplants (tandem ASCT).
  • Others had one transplant plus Isa-KRd.

What the study found:

• In MRD-negative patients, both groups did equally well. About 85% reached an even deeper response (MRD-negative at a more sensitive level) before maintenance, with or without a transplant.
• In MRD-positive patients, the more aggressive treatment (two transplants) did not lead to better outcomes than one transplant plus Isa-KRd.
• There were no new safety concerns. A few patients had disease progression or unrelated complications, mostly in the non-transplant or tandem transplant groups.

What does this study mean?

This trial suggests that if you're MRD-negative after induction, you might not need a transplant right away to get a strong response. And if you're MRD-positive, doing two transplants doesn't seem to help more than one.

 

 

"ADC measurement in whole-body MRI for multiple myeloma: a three b-values vs. two b-values DWI comparison"

Source

Zerunian, M., Masci, B., Pugliese, D. et al. ADC measurement in whole-body MRI for multiple myeloma: a three b-values vs. two b-values DWI comparison. Radiol med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-025-02026-7 June 3, 2025  

Overview

Doctors often use whole-body MRI with a special imaging technique called diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to check for bone lesions in multiple myeloma. These scans create maps called ADC maps to help tell the difference between cancerous (malignant) and healthy bone.

This study looked at whether using 2 scan settings (called “b-values”) gives similar results to using 3 b-values when measuring ADC in bone.

What the study tested:

Researchers compared two types of ADC scans:

• ADC3b: Uses three b-values (50–500–1000).
• ADC2b: Uses only two b-values (50–1000).

They looked at bone lesions and healthy bone in 55 people with multiple myeloma.

What they found:

• The ADC numbers were slightly different between the two scan types, but most results still fell in the same “malignant” or “benign” range.
• Only 10 out of 305 lesions had results that were right on the borderline between benign and malignant, showing different results depending on the scan type.
• Expert radiologists confirmed these were cancerous, matching the results from the 3 b-value scan.

What does this study mean?

Using fewer scan settings (ADC2b) gives results that are nearly the same as the more detailed scans, except in borderline cases.

For most patients, faster or simpler scans may still be accurate. But when results are unclear, the full 3 b-value scan (ADC3b) may be more reliable.

Shorter MRI scans can work well for most people with multiple myeloma, but more detailed imaging might still be needed in more complex cases.

 

 

"Genetic, epigenetic, and molecular determinants of multiple myeloma and precursor plasma cell disorders: a pathophysiological overview"

Source

Sutanto, H., Sandra, D.Y., Safira, A. et al. Genetic, epigenetic, and molecular determinants of multiple myeloma and precursor plasma cell disorders: a pathophysiological overview. Med Oncol 42, 234 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02807-0 June 3, 2025. 

Overview

This review breaks down the main drivers behind myeloma progression:

• Genetic changes
  • Certain DNA changes (like chromosome swaps and missing or extra pieces of DNA) help myeloma cells grow out of control.
  • Common genes involved include KRAS, NRAS, TP53, and DIS3.
• Gene regulation gone wrong
  • Even without changes in the genes themselves, problems in how genes are turned on or off can push myeloma forward.
  • This includes things like:
    • Faulty RNA splicing (which messes up how proteins are made)
    • Disrupted non-coding RNA (which normally helps control gene activity)
• Support from the bone marrow environment
  • The area around the cancer cells—called the microenvironment—helps myeloma survive and grow.
  • It does this by:
    • Sending out growth signals
    • Helping cancer cells hide from the immune system
    • Creating new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to feed the tumor
• Metabolic changes
  • Myeloma cells reprogram how they use energy, switching to systems that help them grow faster and resist treatment.
• Epigenetic changes
  • These are chemical changes that affect how DNA is used without changing the DNA itself.
  • They control which genes are active and help keep the cancer aggressive.

Why it matters:

Understanding all these layers—genes, the environment, metabolism, and gene regulation—helps researchers develop better treatments and may lead to ways to catch the disease earlier or stop it from progressing.

Myeloma isn’t driven by one cause; it’s a mix of genetic changes, cell behavior, and support from its surroundings. Researchers are working to understand this complexity better to improve care and outcomes.

 

 

"Population Cellular Kinetics of Idecabtagene Vicleucel in Patients with Triple-Class–Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Wu, F., Zhou, J., Zheng, X. et al. Population Cellular Kinetics of Idecabtagene Vicleucel in Patients with Triple-Class–Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Clin Pharmacokinet (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-025-01531-2  June 3, 2025 

Overview

Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel, oride-cel) is a CAR T-cell therapy used to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This treatment uses your own immune cells, engineered to target a protein called BCMA on myeloma cells.

This study looked at how ide-cel behaves in the body over time, a process called cellular kinetics.

What the study did:

• Researchers analyzed blood samples from 225 patients who received ide-cel in the KarMMa-3 clinical trial. They used computer modeling to track how the therapy’s cells:
  • Start slowly (lag phase)
  • Multiply in the body (expansion phase)
  • Change into memory cells that last longer
  • Gradually disappear over time
• They also looked at whether things like age, immune response, or other patient factors affected how well the cells worked or how long they lasted.

What the study found:

• The model accurately matched what was seen in real patients.
• Most patient differences in how ide-cel worked were due to natural variation—not specific traits or conditions.
• Patients whose immune systems reacted against the therapy (a response called immunogenicity) tended to have shorter-lasting CAR T-cells.
• In general, patients who had more cell growth an slower cell loss tended to have longer periods without disease progression.

What does this study mean?

This study helps explain why ide-cel works better in some patients than others. The good news: for most people, personal traits don’t drastically change how the treatment behaves. But stronger, longer-lasting CAR T-cell activity may help keep the cancer away longer.

How long ide-cel works in the body may predict how long you stay in remission, and this research helps doctors better understand and track that process.

 

 

"Tregs at Diagnosis as a Potential Biomarker for Predicting High-Risk Functionality in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Zhou, Q., Xu, F., Wen, J., Yue, J., Zhang, Y., Du, L., Kou, K., Su, J., Liu, Y. and Liang, X. (2025), Tregs at Diagnosis as a Potential Biomarker for Predicting High-Risk Functionality in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. Cancer Med, 14: e70980. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70980 June 3, 2025 

Overview

This study looked at whether regulatory T cells (Tregs)—a special type of immune cell—can help predict early relapse and outcomes in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

What was studied:

• Researchers looked at 70 patients who were newly diagnosed with myeloma.
• They measured Treg levels at diagnosis and tracked who relapsed early (within 18 months, called ER18).
• They also tracked progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
• What they found:
• Patients who relapsed early had a median survival of 24.8 months, and their cancer stayed controlled for only about 10.8 months.
• Key factors linked to early relapse:
  • High creatinine levels (a sign of poor kidney function)
  • Extramedullary disease (myeloma outside the bone marrow)
  • Low levels of Tregs
• The most important predictors of early relapse were extramedullary disease and low Tregs at diagnosis.
• These same factors also predicted shorter time before the disease progressed (lower PFS).

What does this study mean?

If a person with myeloma has low Treg levels at diagnosis, they may be at higher risk of early relapse and may need closer monitoring or more aggressive treatment.

Treg levels might be a useful biomarker to help doctors predict which patients are at higher risk for fast relapse, so they can tailor care accordingly.

 

 

"Minimal residual disease measurement in blood by mass spectrometry identifies long-term responders in multiple myeloma"

Source

Tadeusz Kubicki, Benjamin A Derman, Jennifer H Cooperrider, Anna Puła, David Barnidge, Dominik Dytfeld, Ken Jiang, Andrzej J Jakubowiak, Minimal residual disease measurement in blood by mass spectrometry identifies long-term responders in multiple myeloma, Blood Neoplasia, 2025, 100124, ISSN 2950-3280, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bneo.2025.100124. June 3, 2025.  

Overview

Thanks to better treatments, many people with multiple myeloma now reach deep remissions, making it more important than ever to check for minimal residual disease (MRD), or tiny traces of cancer that may still be present.

Traditionally, MRD is measured through a bone marrow biopsy using a method called next-generation sequencing (NGS). But this study looked at using mass spectrometry (MS)—a blood test—as a less invasive and highly sensitive way to track MRD.

What was studied:

Researchers looked at data from 97 patients in 3 clinical trials. All received carfilzomib-based treatment, with or without a stem cell transplant. MRD was checked in two ways:

• NGS in the bone marrow
• Two mass spectrometry tests in the blood:
  • EXENT (MALDI-TOF) – less sensitive
  • LC-MS – more sensitive

What they found:

• Patients who were MRD-negative by EXENT had better survival outcomes.
• Those who were negative by LC-MS were likely to stay in long-term remission.
• The best results came when patients tested negative by both bone marrow (NGS) and blood (LC-MS)—with 89% remaining progression-free at 5 years.

Why this matters:

• Mass spectrometry blood tests may help avoid some bone marrow biopsies in the future.
• Mass spectrometry—especially LC-MS—could become a key tool for tracking MRD and predicting who’s likely to stay in remission long term.
• It may also be useful in research focused on achieving a functional cure.

Mass spectrometry offers a promising, less invasive way to track MRD in myeloma, and it could help doctors better predict who’s truly in deep remission.

 

 

"Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Solitary Plasmacytomas: A 30-Year Experience of the Greek Myeloma Study Group on 175 Patients"

Source

Katodritou, E., Kastritis, E., Dalampira, D., Kanellias, N., Labropoulou, V., Kyriakidis, G., Douka, V., Delimpasi, S., Stoumbos, D., Spanoudakis, E., Papageorgiou, S., Fotiou, D., Gkioka, A.-I., Triantafyllou, T., Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, I., Papadopoulou, T., Tsirou, K., Sevastoudi, A., Daiou, A., Theodorakakou, F., Giannakoulas, N., Pappa, V., Lalayianni, A., Pouli, A., Kyrtsonis, M.-C., Kotsopoulou, M., Verrou, E., Gavriatopoulou, M., Terpos, E. and Dimopoulos, M.-A. (2025), Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Solitary Plasmacytomas: A 30-Year Experience of the Greek Myeloma Study Group on 175 Patients. Am J Hematol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27725 June 3, 2025.   

Overview

A new study looked at 175 people diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma (SP)—a rare early form of multiple myeloma where plasma cells form a single tumor, either in bone (SBP) or outside of bone (SEP). Researchers followed these patients for up to 30 years to see how they did over time, and whether adding systemic therapy (ST)—whole-body treatments like chemotherapy—made a difference.

Key Findings:

• Most patients received radiation therapy (RT), which is the standard treatment.
• A smaller number got ST alone or ST plus RT, or had surgery only.
• 93% of patients responded to treatment, and 53% had a complete response (CR).
• 70 patients eventually relapsed, and 56 went on to develop full multiple myeloma.
• Overall survival was strong:
  • 85% were alive after 5 years
  • 70% after 10 years
• Progression-free survival (PFS) was about 6 years on average.
• People who were 60 or younger, had a complete response, or had an abnormal light chain ratio at diagnosis had different risks of relapse or progression.

Adding systemic therapy did not improve survival or reduce the chance of developing myeloma, but it did lead to more side effects.

What Does This Study Mean?

• Radiation therapy remains the best first treatment for solitary plasmacytoma.
• There's no clear benefit to adding chemotherapy or other systemic treatments early on.
• Doctors need better ways to identify which SP patients are at higher risk of progressing to multiple myeloma, so they can get more aggressive treatment if needed.

Most people with solitary plasmacytoma do well with radiation alone. Extra treatment may not help unless you're at high risk of progression, which is something researchers are working to better understand.

 

 

"Clinical outcome and prognostic factors of autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: A multicentre study from India"

Source

Rajan Kapoor, Renjith Mathew Verghese, Kundan Mishra, Ashok Meshram, Rajat Bahl, Rajiv Kumar, S.K. Pramanik, V.A. Arun, Saleem Mirza, Uday Yanamandra, Harshit Khurana, Sanjeevan Sharma, Tarun Verma, Jasjit Singh, Satyranjan Das, Ajay Sharma, Velu Nair, Clinical outcome and prognostic factors of autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: A multicentre study from India, Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 2025, ISSN 0377-1237, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2025.04.001. June 3, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at how well autologous stem cell transplant (using a patient’s own stem cells) works for people in India with multiple myeloma. This treatment is already a key part of care in many countries, but there has been limited data from India.

What Did the Study Find?

• The study followed 365 myeloma patients who received a stem cell transplant between 2010 and 2024 at five major hospitals.
• The average age was 54 years.
• By 100 days after transplant, 77% of patients were in complete remission or better.
• Survival rates were high:
  • 91% were alive after 1 year
  • 85% after 2 years
  • 72% after 5 years
• The risk of dying from the transplant itself (transplant-related mortality) was low, at just 3.56%.
• Factors that influenced survival included how well patients responded to treatment before transplant, the number of stem cells collected, and their disease stage at diagnosis.

Why This Matters

This study shows that stem cell transplant is not only safe and effective, but also affordable and practical in countries with fewer resources, like India. It highlights the importance of good patient care and careful selection to improve long-term outcomes.

Stem cell transplant remains a powerful treatment for multiple myeloma, and this study confirms it works well for patients in India too.

 

 

"Antitumor effect of BC12-3 on multiple myeloma via proteasome inhibition"

Source

Li, H., Jia, G., Zhang, N. et al. Antitumor effect of BC12-3 on multiple myeloma via proteasome inhibition. Med Oncol 42, 235 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02804-3 June 3, 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common blood cancers. Many current treatments use drugs called proteasome inhibitors (PIs)—like Velcade® (bortezomib, or BTZ)—which target a system cancer cells use to survive. But these drugs can come with serious side effects, and over time, many patients develop resistance to them.

What’s New?

Researchers have created a new drug called BC12-3, designed to work like PIs but with fewer downsides.

What Did the Study Find?

• BC12-3 killed myeloma cells effectively in lab tests.
• It worked by stopping the cancer cells from dividing and by triggering cell death.
• It targeted a specific part of the proteasome (called the β5 subunit) to do this.
• In animal studies, BC12-3 slowed tumor growth as well as bortezomib.
• Safety tests showed BC12-3 had a better safety profile, meaning it may cause fewer side effects.

Why It Matters

BC12-3 could be a new and safer option for treating multiple myeloma, especially for patients who don’t respond well to current PIs or who can’t tolerate their side effects.

BC12-3 is an experimental drug that shows strong potential to treat multiple myeloma effectively, possibly with fewer side effects than current therapies.

 

 

"CD38-Targeted Antibody-Polymer Drug Conjugates for Enhanced Treatment of Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Jiahui Li, Shannuo Li, Hasan Al Faruque, Jindřich Kopeček, Douglas W. Sborov, Jiyuan Yang, CD38-Targeted Antibody-Polymer Drug Conjugates for Enhanced Treatment of Multiple Myeloma, Biomaterials, 2025,123464, ISSN 0142-9612, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123464. June 4, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) can become difficult to treat when there is relapse or a patient stops responding to therapy. A new study introduces a potential treatment approach that combines the power of chemotherapy with the precision of immunotherapy.

What’s New?

Researchers developed two new drug combinations called polymer-antibody drug conjugates (pADCs):

• ISA-P-EPI, which is based on the antibody Sarclisa®  (isatuximab)
• DARA-P-EPI, which is based on the antibody Darzalex®  (daratumumab)

Both are designed to target CD38, a protein found on most myeloma cells.

How Do They Work?

• These pADCs deliver chemotherapy (epirubicin) directly into myeloma cells using an antibody that locks onto CD38.
• Once inside the cancer cell, the drug is released and kills the cell.
• These new pADCs carry more drug per antibody than traditional methods, without affecting how the antibody works.

What Did the Study Find?

• The pADCs were effective in lab tests, causing cancer cells to stop dividing and die.
• In patient samples, they worked in 5 out of 8 cases, especially when CD38 levels were high.
• A drug called panobinostat was used to boost CD38 levels, making the pADCs even more effective.
• In mouse models, the treatment slowed tumor growth and helped all treated mice survive at least 100 days, while untreated mice did not survive as long.

Why It Matters

This approach combines the targeting power of existing MM antibodies with a stronger chemotherapy payload, potentially offering a new option for patients with relapsed or resistant disease.

These new drug-antibody combinations could become a powerful new way to treat multiple myeloma by delivering chemo directly to cancer cells while preserving the immune system's ability to fight back.

 

 

"Optimization of a novel 2+2 BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody for minimized cytokine release and potent efficacy"

Source

Danqing Wu, Lini Huang, Gaowa Naren, Rui Zhang, Shiyong Gong, Xuan Wu, Chengbin Wu; Optimization of a novel 2+2 BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody for minimized cytokine release and potent efficacy. Mol Cancer Ther 2025; https://doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-24-0846 June 4, 2025. 

Overview

A promising new treatment is being developed for multiple myeloma that may help reduce one of the biggest risks seen with current immunotherapies—cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CRS is a serious reaction that can happen when the immune system becomes overactivated, especially with bispecific T-cell engagers, a type of drug that uses the immune system to kill cancer cells.

What’s New?

Researchers created a new BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody called EMB-06. It’s designed to:

• Target myeloma cells using BCMA
• Recruit immune T cells using CD3
• Keep immune activity focused, without triggering dangerous levels of inflammation

Key Findings:

• EMB-06 uses a unique design called Fabs-in-tandem (FIT-Ig) that improves how it binds to cancer and immune cells.
• In lab and animal studies, EMB-06 showed strong cancer-killing power, similar to older antibody formats.
• But unlike other versions, EMB-06 caused much lower levels of cytokine release, meaning less risk of CRS.
• The treatment was also safe in animal models, with no signs of harmful immune overactivation.

Why It Matters

Bispecific antibodies are one of the most exciting new ways to treat multiple myeloma, but they come with safety concerns. EMB-06 could offer the same powerful benefits with fewer risks, making it easier and safer to use.

EMB-06 may become a next-generation treatment that delivers strong anti-myeloma effects while reducing the risk of dangerous immune reactions like cytokine release syndrome.

 

 

"Enhancing antitumor immunity via ROS-ERS and pyroptosis-induced immunogenic cell death in multiple myeloma"

Source

Zhaoyun L, Wang H, Yang C, et al. Enhancing antitumor immunity via ROS-ERS and pyroptosis-induced immunogenic cell death in multiple myeloma. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2025;13:e011717. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2025-011717 June 4, 2025  

Overview

Researchers are exploring new ways to help the immune system better recognize and destroy multiple myeloma (MM) cells. One exciting approach involves triggering a type of cancer cell death that activates the immune system, called immunogenic cell death (ICD).

What Did the Study Look At?

Scientists tested a combination of two substances:

• REI, which causes cell stress and damage inside the cell’s power plants (mitochondria)
• QS-21, a plant-based compound that can help trigger a fiery type of cell death called pyroptosis
• They tested these compounds alone and together on myeloma cells in the lab and in animals.

What Did They Find?

• The combination caused strong myeloma cell death and released danger signals (called ICD markers) that alert the immune system.
• This triggered stress responses inside the cancer cells, leading to more cell death and inflammation.
• In both lab and animal tests, the combo helped dendritic cells and T cells—two key parts of the immune system—become more active and target myeloma cells.
• In animals, this treatment slowed down tumor growth.

Why It Matters

This research shows that a two-part treatment may turn myeloma cells into targets the immune system can better attack, potentially leading to more effective and longer-lasting treatment responses.

A new combination treatment that helps the immune system recognize and kill myeloma cells could open the door to more powerful and targeted immunotherapy options in the future.

 

 

"Definition, diagnosis, risk stratification and management of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: The Saudi Myeloma Working Group Guidelines"

Source

Ghazi S. Alotaibi, Abdullah S. Al Saleh, Ayman Alhejazi, Majed Alahmadi, Ibraheem Motabi, Fahad Z. Alsharif, Abdullah Alamer, Omar Abduljalil, Imran Tailor, Mohammed Marei, Ahmed S. Barefah, Mansour Aljabry, Saud Alhayli, Binyam Usman, Amr Hanbali, Amal Alabdulwahab, Ihab ElHemaidi, Hatem Mahmoud Alahwal, Enas Mutahar, Ahmad Alsaeed, Definition, diagnosis, risk stratification and management of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: The Saudi Myeloma Working Group Guidelines, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.005. June 4, 2025.  

Overview

Multiple myeloma is becoming more common around the world, and some of the biggest challenges are seen in low- and middle-income countries, including Saudi Arabia.

What’s the Issue?

• Outside of large hospitals (tertiary centers), people in Saudi Arabia often face delays in diagnosis and limited access to modern treatments.
• Many smaller or rural hospitals don’t have the tools or specialists needed to detect or treat myeloma early.
• Newer treatments are available, but they can be very expensive, creating even more barriers to care.

What’s New?

The Saudi Myeloma Working Group has released updated treatment guidelines to help improve care across the country, especially for newly diagnosed patients. These guidelines:

• Offer clear steps for diagnosis and risk assessment
• Recommend standardized treatment plans
• Are designed to help doctors deliver better care, even in less-equipped settings

Why It Matters

These guidelines are a big step toward closing the care gap between urban and rural areas in Saudi Arabia, and they may also help other developing countries facing the same challenges.

New national guidelines aim to improve early detection and treatment of multiple myeloma in Saudi Arabia, giving more patients a better chance at longer, healthier lives.

 

 

"Global Access to Multiple Myeloma Therapies"

Source

Rawan Atallah et al. Global Access to Multiple Myeloma Therapies. JCO Glob Oncol 11, e2400441(2025). DOI:10.1200/GO-24-00441 June 4, 2025. 

Overview

While people with multiple myeloma in places like North America often have access to the latest treatments, a new global survey shows that this isn’t the case in many other countries.

What Did the Study Look At?

Researchers asked oncologists from 33 countries outside the U.S. about how easily they could access common multiple myeloma drugs, including both standard and newer therapies. The survey was conducted in mid-2023 and included 95 doctors.

Key Findings:

Most doctors said they could access basic treatments, but had limited access to newer drugs like:

• Sarclisa® (isatuximab)
• Ninlaro® (ixazomib)
• Xpovio® (selinexor)
• Empliciti® (elotuzumab)

Access to advanced cell therapies was especially limited:

• Only 17% could access CAR-T cell therapy
• Just 23% had access to T-cell engagers (TCEs)

The main barrier? Cost. High drug prices strain both patients and healthcare systems.

Why It Matters

This study shows that where you live can make a big difference in the kind of myeloma treatment you can receive. Without access to the latest therapies, patients in many countries may face poorer outcomes.

Many myeloma patients around the world still can’t access the newest treatments, mainly due to high costs. Addressing this gap is key to making care more fair and effective everywhere.

 

 

"SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Late/Deferred ASCT in Myeloma"

Source

Clifton C. Mo, Yuxin Liu, Monique A. Hartley-Brown, Omar Nadeem, Shonali Midha, Paul G. Richardson, SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Late/Deferred ASCT in Myeloma, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.003. June 4, 2025. 

Overview

For years, high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT) has been a standard treatment for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (NDMM)—if they’re healthy enough for transplant. It helps keep the disease under control for longer (called progression-free survival or PFS).

But new research suggests that delaying or even skipping an early transplant may be a good option for some patients. The IMF encourages you to talk to your healthcare team before opting not to undergo a transplant.

Why Consider Deferring Transplant?

• Transplants can have serious short- and long-term side effects, including higher risk of infections and even future cancers like leukemia.
• Today’s triplet and quadruplet drug combinations (3 or 4 drugs at once) are so effective that many patients go into deep remission, even without a transplant right away.
• Some studies show no difference in overall survival (OS) whether patients have a transplant early or later.
• New treatments like CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies are being tested as frontline options, possibly changing the role of transplant altogether.

What’s the Takeaway?

Doctors are beginning to take a more personalized approach to myeloma treatment. For a small number of patients, delaying a transplant—or skipping it entirely—might make sense, especially if:

• They reach MRD-negative status (no signs of disease using sensitive tests).
• They want to avoid the side effects of a transplant.
• They may benefit from new therapies now in development.

Stem cell transplant is still an important option for many, but newer treatments may allow some patients to delay it, or avoid it entirely. This is new research, though, and it is very important to discuss all the pros and cons of undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant with your healthcare team.

 

 

"Hepatitis B and C virus infection and risk of multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis"

Source

Zamani, K., Rostami, P., Darehbagh, R.R. et al. Hepatitis B and C virus infection and risk of multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 25, 998 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14420-5 June 4, 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a blood cancer with limited options for a cure. Some viruses—like hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV)—have been linked to other blood cancers, but it wasn’t clear if they also increase the risk of myeloma. This new study helps answer that question.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers reviewed 17 studies from around the world to see if people with hepatitis B or C were more likely to develop multiple myeloma. Here’s what they found:

• People with hepatitis C had a significantly higher risk of getting myeloma, about 1.8 times more likely than those without it.
• People with hepatitis B also had a slightly higher risk, but the link was not as strong.
• The connection was stronger in European populations than in other regions.

Why This Matters

These results suggest that chronic hepatitis B or C infections could play a role in myeloma risk, especially for people living in certain parts of the world. It may be important for doctors to monitor patients with these infections more closely for early signs of blood cancers.

If you have hepatitis B or C, especially in high-risk regions like Europe, talk to your doctor about cancer screening and your overall health plan.

 

 

"Unraveling Obesity and Multiple Myeloma: Insights from Epidemiology and Molecular Mechanisms"

Source

Manna, L., Gelsomino, L., Martino, E.A. et al. Unraveling Obesity and Multiple Myeloma: Insights from Epidemiology and Molecular Mechanisms. Curr Obes Rep 14, 52 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-025-00644-w June 5, 2025 

Overview

We already know that obesity can increase the risk of many health problems, but growing research shows that it may also play a major role in developing multiple myeloma (MM) and its early stages, like MGUS and smoldering myeloma (SMM).

What Did the Review Find?

• Obesity is a modifiable risk factor, meaning it’s something that can be changed to help reduce disease risk.
• Studies show that obesity may not only raise the chances of developing MM, but also make the disease more aggressive once it starts.
• The fat cells (adipose tissue) in people with obesity release inflammatory chemicals and growth factors that may help myeloma cells grow and spread.
• These fat cells also interact directly with myeloma cells inside the bone marrow, fueling disease activity.

Why This Matters

This research highlights how weight and overall health may affect both the risk and progression of multiple myeloma. It also suggests that lifestyle changes, like improving diet and increasing physical activity, might help lower the risk or slow the disease, especially for people at high risk.

Obesity may increase the chances of developing multiple myeloma and make it harder to treat. Managing weight through healthy habits could become an important part of prevention and care.

 

 

"An Updated Indirect Comparison of Elranatamab Versus a Real-World External Control Arm in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Blood Lymphat Cancer"

Source

Costa LJ, LeBlanc TW, Tesch H, Sonneveld P, Johnson SM, Vekeman F, Hlavacek P, Meche A, Kim CH, Cislo P, Hughes DM, Nador G, DiBonaventura M. An Updated Indirect Comparison of Elranatamab Versus a Real-World External Control Arm in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Blood Lymphat Cancer. 2025;15:11-20 https://doi.org/10.2147/BLCTT.S516356 June 5, 2025  

Overview

Elrexfio™ (elranatamab), a new bispecific antibody therapy, shows promise for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

What Was This Study About?

The drug elranatamab is designed to help the immune system target and kill myeloma cells by linking T cells (CD3) to BCMA, a protein found on myeloma cells. This study compared results from a clinical trial with real-world data from U.S. patients who had similar disease and treatment history.

Researchers looked at:

• Progression-free survival (PFS): How long patients lived without the disease progressing
• Overall survival (OS): How long patients lived overall
• Duration of response (DOR): How long the treatment kept working

Key Findings

Compared to people who got standard care in the real world:

• Patients treated with elranatamab lived longer without their disease progressing.
• They also had better overall survival.
• Their responses to treatment lasted longer.

Why It Matters

This means elranatamab may offer a more effective option for patients with very few treatment choices left. The results are based on nearly 2.5 years of follow-up, showing the drug's impact over time.

Elranatamab helped patients with refractory myeloma live longer and stay healthier compared to those receiving typical treatments. More research is needed, but it may be a good choice for patients with few remaining treatment choices.

 

 

"Outcomes for unselected, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients"

Source

Moore JT, Mettias SM, Cheung J, Swift R, Eades B, Eshaghian S, Schwartz G, Berenson JR. Outcomes for unselected, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287458 [Early view]. June 5, 2025. 

Overview

A new long-term study tracked 175 people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (NDMM) between 2006 and 2024 and found that patients are now living longer than ever before, with a median overall survival (OS) of 152 months, or about 12.5 years.

Key Takeaways:

• This is the longest reported survival time for NDMM patients in real-world settings.
• Most patients received common drug combinations like Velcade® (bortezomib), dexamethasone, and PLD, with or without Revlimid ® (lenalidomide).
• These treatments led to a high response rate (83.3%) and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 22 months.

What Makes This Study Stand Out?

• Almost none of the patients had a stem cell transplant (SCT), which has long been considered standard for eligible patients.
• No one received CAR T-cell therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), two powerful but often hard-to-access newer therapies.
• Despite this, patients lived longer than those in other recent studies from the U.S. and France, where patients received fewer treatment lines.

What Helped Patients?

• Access to a wider range of treatment options over time.
• The ability to go through more lines of therapy, a median of 6, compared to just 3 in other studies.
• Continued improvements in available drug combinations.

What Affected Long-Term Survival?

• The only factor that strongly predicted longer survival was being younger at diagnosis.
• High-risk genetic features affected how long patients stayed in remission (PFS), but not overall survival in this study.

Why It Matters

This study shows that myeloma patients can live many years—even without a transplant or the newest, most intensive therapies—if they have access to multiple effective treatment options over time.

 With more therapies and combinations available, people with multiple myeloma are living longer, especially when care teams can offer personalized treatment across many stages of the disease.

 

 

"Association between Platelet Count and In-Hospital Mortality in Critical Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Cohort Study"

Source

Zeng Y, You S, Yuan R, Yue S, Zhang J. Association between Platelet Count and In-Hospital Mortality in Critical Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Cohort Study. PLoS One. 2025 Jun 5;20(6):e0323429. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323429. June 5, 2025. 

Overview

A new study looked at people with multiple myeloma (MM) who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and found that platelet levels may play an important role in survival.

What Are Platelets?

Platelets are cells in your blood that help with clotting. Low platelet levels can increase the risk of bleeding and signal that the body is under stress or not functioning well, especially during serious illness.

What Did the Study Find?

• Researchers reviewed medical data from 242 MM patients in the ICU.
• Patients with lower platelet counts—especially their lowest recorded platelet levels during ICU stay—had a higher risk of dying in the hospital.
• Patients with higher platelet levels tended to have better survival outcomes.
• The link between platelet count and death risk wasn’t a straight line; it varied depending on how low or high the counts were.

Why This Matters

Tracking platelet levels may help doctors better understand how critically ill myeloma patients are doing, and who may need closer monitoring or more aggressive care.

For MM patients in the ICU, low platelet counts may be a warning sign of higher risk. This could help guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes in serious cases.

 

 

"Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Multiple Myeloma Treated on Earlier Total Therapy Protocols: A Secondary Analysis of 3 Clinical Trials"

Source

Al Hadidi S, Ababneh OE, Schinke CD, et al. Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Multiple Myeloma Treated on Earlier Total Therapy Protocols: A Secondary Analysis of 3 Clinical Trials. JAMA Oncol. Published online June 05, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.1394  June 5, 2025 

Overview

A new long-term study looked at how well newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients did after receiving intensive treatment as part of early clinical trials. The results are giving new hope—some patients are surviving 15 to 20 years after diagnosis.

What Was the Study About?

Researchers followed 1,202 patients treated between 1989 and 2006 in a group of trials known as Total Therapy (TT) protocols. These treatments included:

• Combination chemotherapy
• Tandem stem cell transplants
• Newer drugs like Thalomid® (thalidomide), Revlimid® (lenalidomide), and Velcade® (bortezomib).

Patients were followed for up to 20 years, making this one of the longest follow-up studies in MM.

What Did They Find?

Survival has steadily improved over the years:

• In the earliest trial (TT 1), only 24% of patients lived 15 years.
• In later trials (TT 2 and TT 3A), survival rose to 33–45% at 15 years, and up to 50% in some groups.
• Patients with standard-risk genetic profiles had the best long-term outcomes.

Many patients who lived 10–15 years after treatment had survival rates similar to the general population, suggesting some may be functionally cured.

Why It Matters

This is strong evidence that long-term survival—and possibly a cure—is achievable for some people with myeloma, especially when treated aggressively early on. It also sets the stage for new studies to see if today’s newer therapies can do even better with fewer side effects.

Thanks to powerful treatment combinations and stem cell transplants, some multiple myeloma patients are now living 15–20 years after diagnosis, and more progress may be on the way.

 

 

"Burden of illness among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, and eligible for B-cell maturation antigen-targeted therapies"

Source

Giri, S., Lin, D., Dixon, R. W., Kim, N., Fowler, J., Barron, J., … Wu, B. (2025). Burden of illness among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, and eligible for B-cell maturation antigen-targeted therapies. Future Oncology, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2025.2514399  June 5, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at people in the U.S. with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who had already gone through four or more lines of treatment and were eligible for BCMA-targeted therapies, which are a newer type of treatment.

What Did the Study Find?

• The group included 228 patients, with an average age of 64.
• Many were dealing with serious complications related to myeloma.
• Almost 45% of patients saw their treatment stop working within 6 months.
• Hospitalization rates rose from 48% before starting new treatment to 71% after.
• Healthcare costs also increased, averaging over $41,000 per patient per month during follow-up.

Why It Matters

Patients who have already tried many myeloma treatments often run out of effective options. This study shows that they continue to face serious health problems, frequent hospital stays, and high costs, making it clear that there’s a real need for better, more effective therapies.

People with refractory myeloma face a high physical and financial burden. New treatments, like BCMA-targeted therapies, ,may offer hope for better care and improved outcomes.

 

 

"Ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)—multicenter real-world analysis from Germany and comparative review of the literature"

Source

Löffler, H., Braun, M., Reinhardt, H. et al. Ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)—multicenter real-world analysis from Germany and comparative review of the literature. Ann Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06441-8  June 5, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study from six major hospitals in Germany looked at how well the IRd combination—Ninlaro® (ixazomib), Revlimid® (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone—works for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in real-world settings.

What Was Studied?

• 24 RRMM patients treated with IRd between 2017 and 2021
• Most had already received 2 lines of treatment
• All had been treated with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) before; over half had received an IMiD (like lenalidomide or thalidomide)
• About 21% had high-risk genetic features, which can make treatment harder

What Were the Results?

• 70.8% of patients responded to the IRd treatment
• Patients lived a median of 22 months without disease progression (PFS)
• Overall survival (OS) was about 62 months (over 5 years)
• The regimen was well tolerated and most often used as a second or third-line treatment

Why This Matters

This study helps fill a gap in real-world data across Europe. It confirms that IRd is an effective and manageable treatment option for patients with RRMM, especially when used early after relapse.

The IRd combo (ixazomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) continues to prove effective and safe for relapsed myeloma patients, even outside of clinical trials.

 

 

"Expression of kappa myeloma antigen (KMA) and lambda myeloma antigen (LMA) on malignant but not normal plasma cells offers novel therapeutic targets for patients with myeloma, amyloidosis and other plasma cell dyscrasias"

Source

Mary Sartor, Thomas X Lemarchand, Luise Britz, Jeremy Er, Simon J Harrison, Rosanne Dunn, David J Gottlieb, Expression of kappa myeloma antigen (KMA) and lambda myeloma antigen (LMA) on malignant but not normal plasma cells offers novel therapeutic targets for patients with myeloma, amyloidosis and other plasma cell dyscrasias, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.022. June 5, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have discovered two new markers—Kappa Myeloma Antigen (KMA) and Lambda Myeloma Antigen (LMA)—that appear only on cancerous plasma cells in people with multiple myeloma and related diseases, not on healthy cells.

Why This Matters

KMA and LMA could become new targets for immunotherapy—treatments that train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This is especially important for people with myeloma types that don’t respond well to current therapies.

What Did the Study Find?

• KMA and LMA were found in about 3 out of 4 patient samples.
• These markers had higher density than BCMA, a common current target in myeloma immunotherapy.
• In AL amyloidosis, a related plasma cell disease, KMA and LMA were found even when BCMA was not—showing they may work where other treatments don’t.
• LMA was not found on healthy bone marrow cells, making it a safe target for future therapies.

Who Could Benefit?

• Patients with:
• Multiple myeloma
• MGUS, smoldering myeloma, plasmacytoma
• AL amyloidosis, especially if BCMA-targeted therapies are not an option

KMA and LMA are promising new targets that could lead to safer, more effective immunotherapies for people with myeloma and other plasma cell disorders.

 

 

"Final Results of a Phase 2 Multi-Arm Study of Magrolimab Combinations in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Paul, B., Minarik, J., Cottini, F., Gasparetto, C., Khouri, J., Gandhi, M., Hillengass, J., Levy, M., Liedtke, M., Manda, S., Sandhu, I., Sborov, D., Spicka, I., Usmani, S., Dong, M., Gu, L., Leung, C., Doshi, P., Chen, C. and Pour, L. (2025), Final Results of a Phase 2 Multi-Arm Study of Magrolimab Combinations in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. eJHaem, 6: e70072. https://doi.org/10.1002/jha2.70072 June 6, 2025. 

Overview

This early-stage (Phase 2) study looked at magrolimab, a new type of drug, when combined with other common multiple myeloma treatments in people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)—patients whose cancer has returned or stopped responding to treatment.

What Was Studied?

Magrolimab was tested in three combinations:

• Magro + Darzalex® (daratumumab, or Dara)
• Magro + Pomalyst® (pomalidomide) and dexamethasone (Pd)
• Magro + Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) and dexamethasone (Kd)

What Did the Study Find?

• Response rates were:
  • 14.3% with Magro + Dara
  • 20.0% with Magro + Pd
  • 36.4% with Magro + Kd
• Side effects were common, with serious (grade 3 or higher) side effects in over 60% of patients across all groups.
• Two patients died from side effects, but these deaths were not related to magrolimab.
• The study ended early, limiting how much can be concluded.

What Does This Mean?

While magrolimab showed some activity—especially when combined with carfilzomib—the overall benefit was limited, and the rate of serious side effects was high. Since the study closed early, more research would be needed to fully understand how effective and safe this treatment could be.

Magrolimab combinations showed modest results for people with refractory myeloma, but more testing is needed to determine if it can become a reliable treatment option.

 

 

"Renal failure–related mortality in Multiple Myeloma: United States trends from 1999 to 2020"

Source

Manayiel Rehmat, Ahmed Raza, FNU Kalpina, Mateen Ahmad, Eman Alamgir, Moeen Ikram, Eiman Zeeshan, Renal failure–related mortality in Multiple Myeloma: United States trends from 1999 to 2020, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.002. June 6, 2025. 

Overview

A new study looked at deaths caused by kidney failure linked to multiple myeloma in the U.S. from 1999 to 2020. The results show encouraging progress overall, but also highlight ongoing racial, gender, and regional gaps in outcomes.

Key Findings

• Overall kidney-related deaths in myeloma patients dropped by about 2% per year over two decades.
• Men had higher death rates than women.
• Non-Hispanic Black patients had the highest overall death rates, but also saw the biggest improvement over time.
• People living in nonmetropolitan (rural) areas had higher death rates than those in cities.
• The Midwest and South had the highest rates compared to other U.S. regions.
• States with the highest death rates included District of Columbia, Maryland, and South Carolina.

Why This Matters

Kidney problems are common in multiple myeloma due to the buildup of harmful light chains in the kidneys. While deaths from kidney failure in myeloma patients are decreasing, the data shows that where you live, your race, and your gender can still affect your risk.

Progress has been made in reducing kidney-related deaths in myeloma, but more needs to be done to close the gaps in care and outcomes, especially for Black patients, men, and those in rural areas.

 

 

"Challenges facing CAR T-cell immunotherapy in multiple myeloma"

Source

Wanyan Ouyang, Jian-Qing Mi, Challenges facing CAR T-cell immunotherapy in multiple myeloma, Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 2025, 104803, ISSN 1040-8428, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104803. June 6, 2025. 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy is an exciting new treatment showing promise for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This type of therapy reprograms a patient’s own immune cells (T cells) to find and destroy myeloma cells. The most common target is a protein called BCMA, which is found on myeloma cells.

Key Findings:

• CAR T-cell therapy works well for many people with RRMM, but not everyone responds, and relapses can still happen.
• People with high-risk disease features tend to have worse outcomes, even with CAR T-cell therapy.
• Scientists are working to:
  • Improve the way CAR T-cells are made.
  • Make the therapy last longer.
  • Reduce the chances of relapse.
  • Make the treatment safer with fewer side effects.
• Researchers are also exploring whether using CAR T-cell therapy earlier in treatment—especially in high-risk patients—could improve long-term results.

Why This Matters

While CAR T-cell therapy is a big step forward, it’s not perfect yet. This research shows that better results are possible with smarter design, safer delivery, and earlier use in certain patients. If you or a loved one is facing relapsed multiple myeloma, this treatment—and its ongoing improvements—could offer new hope.

 

 

"CD44-downregulation in multiple myeloma inhibits cytoskeleton rearrangement through actin depolymerization"

Source

Wang, Z., Guo, Y., Yang, C. et al. CD44-downregulation in multiple myeloma inhibits cytoskeleton rearrangement through actin depolymerization. Clin Exp Med 25, 190 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01649-4 June 7, 2025 

Overview

Researchers know that multiple myeloma (MM) cells rely heavily on the bone marrow to survive and grow. But how these cancer cells interact with bone marrow cells isn’t fully understood. This study looked at those interactions more closely in a lab setting.

Here’s what they found:

• When MM cells were placed with bone marrow cells (specifically a type called HS5), the cancer cells became more active and aggressive.
• The two cell types released more hyaluronic acid (HA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)—both are signals that help cancer cells grow and move.
• MM cells also made more of a protein called CD44 and grew more internal support structures (F-actin fibers), which help them move and attach to things.
• A specific enzyme, HAS3, was turned on more strongly in MM cells. HAS3 helps make HA.
• MM cells that were touching the bone marrow cells grew faster than those that weren’t.
• The MM cells developed small projections—like arms—that helped them reach out and attach to the bone marrow cells. CD44 gathered in these areas.
• A protein called Rac1 was also found near CD44, suggesting it helps control how the cancer cells change shape and move.

When researchers shut down CD44 in MM cells, the cells couldn’t move or stick as well. This means CD44 may be a key piece in how MM cells invade and survive in the bone marrow.

This study shows that CD44 plays an important role in how multiple myeloma cells move, grow, and connect with bone marrow. Targeting CD44 might be a new way to treat or slow down multiple myeloma.

 

 

 

"Exercise interventions in patients with multiple myeloma: a scoping reviews"

Source

Li, J., Peng, Y., Zhan, D. et al. Exercise interventions in patients with multiple myeloma: a scoping review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 17, 148 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01193-4 June 9, 2025. 

Overview

People living with multiple myeloma often deal with fatigue, muscle weakness, and lower quality of life. Exercise can help—but there aren’t yet clear, consistent guidelines made just for multiple myeloma patients.

This review looked at 17 research studies to understand how exercise affects people with multiple myeloma and what kinds of programs have been tested.

Here’s what the studies found:

• Types of exercise included:
  • Aerobic activities (like walking or cycling)
  • Strength training
  • Nordic walking (walking with poles for extra support)
• Most programs recommended working out 3 to 5 times per week, for 30 to 60 minutes per session.
• The results were positive:
  • Exercise helped reduce fatigue
  • It improved physical function and mobility
  • Patients reported a better quality of life
  • Many also experienced mental health benefits

What this means for patients:

Even though the studies used different types of exercise and had varying quality, the message is clear—staying active can help. Exercise is generally safe and beneficial for people with multiple myeloma, especially when it’s tailored to your needs and treatment stage.

What’s next?

More research is needed to create clear, personalized exercise plans—especially for patients with bone damage. But for now, this review gives healthcare providers a good starting point to help patients safely get moving again.

 

 

"Risk adapted therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma delivered through local cytogenetic laboratories in a National Clinical Trial: UKMRA RADAR study"

Source

Mehta D, Cicero R, Chiecchio L, Asher S, Kaiser M, Gooding S, et al. Risk adapted therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma delivered through local cytogenetic laboratories in a National Clinical Trial: UKMRA RADAR study. eJHaem. 2024; 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/jha2.1015 June 9, 2025 

Overview

The UKMRA RADAR study is testing a new treatment approach for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are eligible for a stem cell transplant. Instead of using the same treatment for everyone, this study takes a risk-adapted approach, meaning treatment is matched to the patient’s genetic risk level.

Here’s what’s different:

• Patients with high-risk genetics may receive an extra drug called isatuximab.
• Instead of sending tests to one central lab, the study uses 25 local labs across the UK. This makes testing faster and more accessible.
• What’s working well:
• Over 90% of patients were successfully matched to the right treatment path using local lab results.
• More than 70% of high-risk patients were able to start isatuximab early, when it could help the most.

Why this matters:

This trial shows that personalized treatment can be delivered quickly and effectively through local testing, bringing high-quality, risk-adapted care to multiple myeloma patients across the UK.

 

 

"Eliminating The Need for Sequential Confirmation of Response in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Jean-Sébastien Claveau, Prashant Kapoor, Moritz Binder, Francis K Buadi, David Dingli, Angela Dispenzieri, Amie L Fonder, Morie A Gertz, Wilson I Gonsalves, Suzanne R Hayman, Miriam A Hobbs, Lisa Hwa Christenson, Taxiarchis V. Kourelis, Martha Q Lacy, Nelson Leung, Yi Lin, Rahma Warsame, Robert A Kyle, S. Vincent Rajkumar, Shaji K Kumar; Eliminating The Need for Sequential Confirmation of Response in Multiple Myeloma. Blood 2025; blood.2024027949. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024027949 June 9, 2025 

Overview

Doctors track multiple myeloma progression by measuring certain markers in the blood and urine, like monoclonal proteins and free light chains. Right now, official guidelines require two separate test results (taken at different times) to confirm that the disease is progressing. This can delay treatment decisions, especially in clinical trials.

This study looked at whether it’s necessary to wait for a second test if two different markers already show progression at the same time.

Here’s what they found:

• In nearly 70% of cases, two markers showed signs of progression on the same test.
• Of the patients who met this "two-marker" rule, 98% were later confirmed to have disease progression.

What this means:

If two markers show signs of myeloma getting worse at the same time, it may not be necessary to wait for another test to confirm it. This could help doctors move more quickly to adjust treatment when needed, without overdiagnosing progression.

This study supports a more efficient way to confirm disease progression in multiple myeloma, which could speed up treatment decisions without losing accuracy.

 

 

"The role of IL-17-related signaling in myelomagenesis, disease prognosis/progression, and therapeutic approach—a scoping review"

Source

Kulig, P., Rałowiec, A., Baumert, B. et al. The role of IL-17-related signaling in myelomagenesis, disease prognosis/progression, and therapeutic approach—a scoping review. Clin Exp Med 25, 194 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01728-6 June 9, 2025 

Overview

This review looked at the role of IL-17 in myeloma and how blocking it might help slow the disease. While more research is needed, early findings suggest that targeting IL-17 could offer a new treatment option in the future.

Here’s what scientists have found:

• IL-17 helps both healthy and cancerous plasma cells grow.
• High IL-17 levels are linked to myeloma development and progression.
• IL-17 can be targeted with monoclonal antibody drugs—some of which are already used to treat other diseases.

 IL-17 may play a key role in how myeloma grows and spreads, and blocking it might become a helpful part of future therapies.

 

 

"MiR-155-5p Inhibits Multiple Myeloma Cell Malignancy and Tumorigenesis by Targeting JARID2 and Inactivating the TGFβ/SMAD2 Signaling"

Source

Yuan, Y., Zhang, T., Zhang, P., Han, L., Li, J. and Gao, S. (2025), MiR-155-5p Inhibits Multiple Myeloma Cell Malignancy and Tumorigenesis by Targeting JARID2 and Inactivating the TGFβ/SMAD2 Signaling. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 39: e70336. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.70336 June 9, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at a tiny molecule in the body called miR-155-5p to see how it affects myeloma growth.

Here’s what researchers found:

• In people with multiple myeloma, levels of miR-155-5p were lower than normal.
• When scientists increased miR-155-5p in lab-grown myeloma cells, those cells:
  • Grew more slowly
  • Moved and spread less
  • Formed smaller tumors in mice

The study also identified a protein called JARID2 that miR-155-5p helps control. In myeloma cells, JARID2 was too high, and when miR-155-5p levels were raised, JARID2 levels dropped—slowing down cancer growth.

Another key finding: miR-155-5p also blocked a cancer-related signaling pathway (called TGFβ/SMAD2) by targeting JARID2.

Why this matters:

This research suggests that miR-155-5p helps keep myeloma cells in check—and that boosting its levels could be a future strategy for treatment.

Raising miR-155-5p levels might help stop multiple myeloma from growing and spreading by shutting down cancer-driving signals. It’s an exciting lead for new therapies down the road.

 

 

"Biallelic antigen escape is a mechanism of resistance to anti-CD38 antibodies in multiple myeloma"

Source

Benjamin T. Diamond, Linda B Baughn, Mansour Poorebrahim, Alexandra M Poos, Holly Lee, Marcella Kaddoura, J Erin Wiedmeier-Nutor, Michael A. Durante, Gregory E Otteson, Dragan Jevremovic, Hongwei Tang, Stefan Fröhling, Marc-Andrea Baertsch, Marios Papadimitriou, Bachisio Ziccheddu, Tomas Jelínek, Cendrine Lemoine, Alexey Rak, Damian J Green, Carl Ola Landgren, Paola Neri, Peter Leif Bergsagel, Esteban Braggio, Shaji K Kumar, Marc S. Raab, Rafael Fonseca, Nizar Bahlis, Niels Weinhold, Francesco Maura; Biallelic antigen escape is a mechanism of resistance to anti-CD38 antibodies in multiple myeloma. Blood 2025; blood.2024028107. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024028107  June 10, 2025 . 

Overview

CD38-targeting antibodies—like Darzalex® (daratumumab) and Sarclisa® (isatuximab)—are a key part of multiple myeloma treatment. They’ve helped many patients, but over time, the cancer can relapse This study looked at one reason why that might happen.

Here’s what researchers found:

• Some myeloma cells develop genetic changes in the CD38 gene after treatment.
• In a group of patients who relapsed after CD38 antibody therapy, 20% had lost CD38 expression, making the drugs less effective.
• In a few cases, both copies of the CD38 gene were changed—a rare but important finding.
• Some mutations changed the shape of CD38, making it harder for the drugs to attach.
  • One mutation made cells resistant to daratumumab but still sensitive to isatuximab.

Why this matters:

This means that genetic testing could help doctors figure out which CD38 drug will work best if the cancer returns. Not all patients will need this, but for some, it could guide the next step in treatment.

Rare mutations in the CD38 gene may explain why some myeloma patients stop responding to certain antibody treatments. Testing for these changes could help personalize care after relapse.

 

 

"Temporal patterns in US population-based patient survival among adults treated with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy for multiple myeloma"

Source

Dores GM, Vo JB, Schonfeld SJ, Shing JZ, Taparra K, Morton LM, et al. Temporal patterns in US population-based patient survival among adults treated with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy for multiple myeloma, 2000–2020. Br J Haematol. 2025; 00: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20192 June 10, 2025.  

Overview

This large study looked at survival trends for over 50,000 people treated for multiple myeloma in the U.S. between 2000 and 2019. The goal was to see how survival has changed over time and whether certain groups of patients are doing better—or worse—than others.

Some positive findings:

• Survival has steadily improved over the past two decades.
• People diagnosed more recently (2015–2019) lived significantly longer than those diagnosed in the early 2000s.
• These gains were seen across all age, sex, and racial groups.

But challenges remain:

• Older patients had a much higher risk of death, especially those over 80.
• Men had slightly worse survival than women.
• Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander patients had higher death rates than white patients.
• People living in lower-income areas also had poorer outcomes.

Treatments for multiple myeloma have gotten better, and more patients are living longer, but not everyone is benefiting equally. There's still work to do to make sure all patients have the same chance at a longer, healthier life.

 

 

"Clinical outcomes in older adults treated outside clinical studies: highlighting the octogenarian experience"

Source

Dor Shpitzer, Yael C. Cohen, Tamir Shragai, Ori Grossberger, Dana Amsterdam, Anat Reiner-Benaim, Irit Avivi; Clinical outcomes in older adults treated outside clinical studies: highlighting the octogenarian experience. Blood Adv 2025; 9 (11): 2677–2685. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015968  June 10, 2025. 

Overview

As people live longer, more patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma are in their 80s or older. But most treatment research focuses on younger patients or those in clinical trials, so we know less about what works best for older adults in real-world settings.

This study looked at 652 patients age 70 and older with active myeloma, comparing those ages 80+ ("Octos") to those aged 70–79.

Key findings:

• Patients in their 80s had more health problems and were less likely to receive full-strength treatment, especially combinations of 3 or 4 drugs (called triplets or quadruplets).
• On average, patients in their 80s lived much shorter after diagnosis—about 26 months, compared to over 71 months for younger patients.
• However, when patients were treated, the time before needing the next treatment (TTNT) was similar in both age groups.
• Using triplet or quadruplet drug regimens and daratumumab-based therapies improved both survival and TTNT, even in older patients.
• The biggest factors linked to worse outcomes were being age 80+ and having multiple other health conditions.

Older patients with multiple myeloma often get less aggressive treatment due to other health issues, which may shorten survival. But newer therapies—especially those including Darzalex® (daratumumab)—can still offer benefits. This highlights the importance of personalized treatment plans to help older adults get the best possible care.

 

 

"Cost per responder for teclistamab and elranatamab in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in the United States"

Source

Gordan, L. N., Bensimon, A. G., Mu, F., Kim, N., Wu, B., Lin, D., … Garrison, L. P. (2025). Cost per responder for teclistamab and elranatamab in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in the United States. Journal of Medical Economics, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2025.2514909 June 11, 2025  

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) and Elrexfio™ (elranatamab) are two newer drugs approved for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have already tried the main types of treatment (triple class-exposed). Both drugs are bispecific antibodies that help the immune system find and destroy myeloma cells.

This study compared how well the two drugs worked and how much they cost, based on results from clinical trials.

What the study found:

Both drugs had similar response rates:

• Teclistamab: about 61%
• Elranatamab: about 61%

But teclistamab cost less overall to treat a patient over 6 months:

• Teclistamab: ~$231,000
• Elranatamab: ~$285,000

That means the cost per patient who responded to treatment was about $91,000 lower with teclistamab.

Important to know:

• This was not a head-to-head trial. The results were based on data from two separate studies and adjusted to make fair comparisons.
• Because of that, the study may still have some limitations or hidden differences between patient groups.

Teclistamab and elranatamab work about the same in patients with heavily treated myeloma, but teclistamab may offer similar benefits at a lower cost.

 

 

"Unlocking acid ceramidase: a new weapon against proteasome chemoresistance in myeloma"

Source

Delgado-Calle J. Unlocking acid ceramidase: a new weapon against proteasome chemoresistance in myeloma. Haematologica 2025;110(6):1248-1249; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286925. June 2025 

Overview

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are an important part of treatment for multiple myeloma. They’ve helped many people live longer and respond better to therapy. But over time, some patients stop responding to these drugs, and the cancer relapses. This is called drug resistance.

While genetic mutations can sometimes explain why resistance happens, those cases are rare. This new research highlights a different reason:  how cancer cells change the way they manage certain fat-based molecules called sphingolipids.

What did the researchers discover?

• A gene called ASAH1 was found to be more active in patients who relapsed.
• ASAH1 makes an enzyme called acid ceramidase, which breaks down a molecule (ceramide) that normally helps kill cancer cells.
• By breaking down ceramide, ASAH1 helps myeloma cells survive longer and resist treatment.
• It also increases other survival proteins like MCL1 and BCL2, making the cells even harder to kill.

What’s the potential solution?

• The researchers used a drug called ceranib-2, which blocks acid ceramidase.
• In lab and mouse models, ceranib-2 helped shrink tumors and made drug-resistant myeloma cells sensitive to PI treatment again.
• This combo approach (ceranib-2 + PI) showed promising results in samples taken from patients with relapsed myeloma.

Why this matters:

This study shows a new way that myeloma becomes resistant to treatment and a possible way to reverse it. Targeting ASAH1 and ceramide metabolism could become a powerful addition to myeloma therapy in the future, especially for those who have relapsed after standard treatment.

Blocking ceramide breakdown may help myeloma treatments work again in patients who’ve become resistant. This research paves the way for new combination therapies that could offer better outcomes for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

 

 

"High-dose busulfan-melphalan vs melphalan and reinforced VRD for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 3 GEM trial"

Source

Juan-Jose Lahuerta, Jesús F. San-Miguel, Ana Jiménez-Ubieto, Rafael Alonso Fernández, Bruno Paiva, Noemi Puig, Maria-Teresa Cedena, Norma C Gutierrez, Maria José Calasanz, Manuela Fernandez, Rafael Ríos-Tamayo, Albert Oriol, María-Jesús Blanchard, Estrella Carrillo-Cruz, Rafael Martínez-Martínez, Joan Bargay, Anna Sureda, Javier de la Rubia, Miguel-Teodoro T. Hernandez Garcia, Valentín Cabañas, Luis Felipe Casado Montero, Luis Palomera Bernal, Yolanda Gonzalez-Montes, Joaquín Martínez-López, Paula Rodriguez-Otero, Isabel Krsnik, Jose M Arguiñano, María Esther Gonzalez-Garcia, Enrique M. Ocio, Javier de la Cruz, Maria-Victoria Mateos, Laura Rosiñol, Joan Bladé; High-dose busulfan-melphalan vs melphalan and reinforced VRD for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 3 GEM trial. Blood 2025; blood.2025028313. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028313 June 11, 2025 

Overview

This study looked at two ways to prepare (or "condition") patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma for a stem cell transplant. All patients first received a strong combination of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) before transplant and again afterward as consolidation therapy.

What was compared?

• BUMEL: A mix of busulfan and melphalan
• MEL200: A standard dose of melphalan alone

Key findings:

• Across all patients, the average progression-free survival (PFS)—how long people lived without their cancer worsening—was longer with BUMEL (about 89 months) than with MEL200 (about 73 months), but the difference wasn’t statistically significant.
• The overall survival (OS) rate after 9 years was 66%, one of the best ever reported with this type of treatment.
• Minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity—meaning almost no cancer could be detected—was seen in 63% of patients (higher in the BUMEL group).
• BUMEL worked better for patients with:
  • More advanced disease (ISS stage 2 or 3)
  • Certain high-risk genetic changes (t(14;16) and del(1p))
• MEL200 worked better in patients with:
  • Early-stage disease (ISS stage 1)
  • The del(17p) genetic abnormality

Safety:

Both treatments were safe, with no major concerns reported.

This trial shows that adding busulfan to melphalan (BUMEL) may help certain higher-risk myeloma patients stay in remission longer after stem cell transplant, without adding safety risks. Meanwhile, melphalan alone may still be best for patients with early-stage or specific genetic profiles. Personalized treatment choices based on risk factors are key to improving long-term outcomes.

 

 

"Efficacy and safety of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials"

Source

Lin, Z., Dong, R., Zhang, W., Liu, R., Fu, B., & He, A. (2025). Efficacy and safety of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials. Leukemia & Lymphoma, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2025.2512031 June 12, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at results from eight large clinical trials to see how well anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, like Darzalex® (daratumumab) or Sarclisa®  (isatuximab), work for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

What did the study find?

• Longer remission: Patients who received anti-CD38 treatments had better progression-free survival (PFS), meaning they stayed in remission longer.
• Longer life: These treatments also improved overall survival (OS) for most patients.
• Deeper responses: More patients had minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, meaning almost no cancer was detectable after treatment.

But not all patients benefited equally:

Patients with high-risk disease, early-stage disease (ISS-I), liver problems, or non-IgG myeloma types didn’t see the same survival benefits.

Safety concerns:

• There was a higher risk of infections in patients taking anti-CD38 drugs.
• A small but real increase in second cancers (SPMs) was also noted.

Anti-CD38 therapies offer strong benefits for most newly diagnosed myeloma patients, helping them live longer and stay in remission. But doctors need to be cautious about side effects—especially infections and possible second cancers—and may need to take a different approach for high-risk or special-case patients.

 

 

"Regulatory role of the METTL3/MALAT1 axis in multiple myeloma progression"

Source

Xiaohong Lu, Yafei Li, Ruie Li, Jingheng Zhang, Jiayu Peng, Yan Zhang, Regulatory role of the METTL3/MALAT1 axis in multiple myeloma progression, Journal of Bone Oncology, 2025, 100695, ISSN 2212-1374, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2025.100695. June 12, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers are working to better understand what helps multiple myeloma grow and spread. This study looked at two key players: a protein called METTL3 and a molecule known as MALAT1, a type of long noncoding RNA (a molecule that helps control how genes behave).

What they found:

• Higher levels of both METTL3 and MALAT1 were found in the bone marrow of myeloma patients compared to healthy people.
• These two molecules work together to help myeloma cells grow, survive, and spread.
• When researchers blocked METTL3 or MALAT1 in myeloma cells, the cancer cells stopped growing and became weaker.

But if MALAT1 was added back in, it undid the effects of blocking METTL3, showing they’re closely linked.

This study suggests that METTL3 fuels myeloma growth by increasing MALAT1, and both may be targets for future treatments. Blocking this pathway could help slow or stop the disease.

 

 

"Altered mesenchymal and endothelial subsets in interstitial bone marrow and focal lesions in myeloma patients and SCID-hu mice"

Source

Ling W, Zangari M, van Rhee F, Barlogie B, Yaccoby S. Altered mesenchymal and endothelial subsets in interstitial bone marrow and focal lesions in myeloma patients and SCID-hu mice. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287717 [Early view]. June 12, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma doesn’t grow on its own; it’s supported by changes in the bone marrow environment, also known as the stroma. This study looked closely at how certain cells in the bone marrow change in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, helping the cancer survive and spread.

What researchers found:

In areas with active myeloma (called focal lesions), the mesenchymal cells—which normally help support bone and blood cells—start behaving like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These cells help tumors grow and may block the immune system.

A type of stem cell in the bone marrow, called a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), becomes more inflammatory in people with myeloma. These cells show changes in gene activity that are linked to disease diagnosis and progression.

Blood vessel cells (endothelial cells) also change. In healthy bone, some of these cells help rebuild bone, but in myeloma, they shift to support new blood vessel growth, which feeds the tumor.

A rare type of immune cell (called CYR61/CCN1+ myeloid cells) was found in myeloma patients but not in healthy donors. These cells might help regulate the bone marrow environment, but their numbers were lower in patients with more aggressive disease.

What this means:

This study helps explain how myeloma "reprograms" the bone marrow to create a supportive environment for cancer growth. Understanding these cell changes could lead to new ways to disrupt the tumor's support system and improve treatment.

Myeloma changes the makeup of the bone marrow, turning helpful cells into cancer allies. These findings could guide future therapies that target the tumor’s environment, not just the cancer cells themselves.

 

 

"Remission conversion drives outcomes after CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma: a registry analysis from the DRST"

Source

Maximilian Merz, Nico Gagelmann, Samih Smaili, Sarah Flossdorf, Sandra Sauer, Christof Scheid, Bastian von Tresckow, Gerald Georg Wulf, Katja C Weisel, Igor Blau, Monika Engelhardt, Ralph Wäsch, Natalie Schub, Raphael Teipel, Judith S. Hecker, Johannes M. Waldschmidt, Britta Besemer, Ben-Niklas Baermann, Simon Call, Leo Hansmann, Francis Ayuketang Ayuk, Marc S. Raab, Hermann Einsele, Uwe Platzbecker, Nicolaus Kröger; Remission conversion drives outcomes after CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma: a registry analysis from the DRST. Blood 2025; blood.2025028330. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028330 June 12, 2025 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy has become a powerful option for people with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have already tried multiple treatments. Two CAR T therapies—Abecma® (ide-cel) and Carvykti® (cilta-cel)—target the same protein (BCMA). Until now, there hasn’t been a large real-world study comparing how they perform outside of clinical trials.

What this study found:

• In a real-world group of 343 heavily pretreated patients in Germany:
  • Cilta-cel had better results than ide-cel:
    • Higher response rate: 94% vs. 82%
    • Longer remission: 10-month progression-free survival was 76% with cilta-cel vs. 47% with ide-cel
    • More complete responses: 61% vs. 39%
    • Greater improvement in patients who started with a partial response or worse

Side effects:

• Cytokine release syndrome (a common side effect of CAR T therapy) happened in over 80% of patients in both groups, mostly mild.
• Neurological side effects were more common with cilta-cel (25% vs. 15%).
• Death not related to myeloma relapse was similar for both (7% for cilta-cel, 5% for ide-cel).

What it means:

This is the first nationwide registry study to confirm that cilta-cel often leads to stronger and longer-lasting responses than ide-cel, even outside of controlled clinical trials. However, cilta-cel may come with a higher risk of certain side effects, so the choice between therapies should be individualized based on each patient’s needs and health status.

Cilta-cel appears to offer better remission and survival outcomes than ide-cel for relapsed myeloma, but with a higher risk of certain side effects. If you are a candidate for this type of treatment, your doctor can help decide which CAR T therapy is the best fit for you.

 

 

"Characterization of the activity of KTX-1001, a small molecule inhibitor of multiple myeloma SET domain (MMSET) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR)"

Source

Chad A. Lewis, Charles Schmidt, Lisa Beebe, Terrence J. Connolly, Characterization of the activity of KTX-1001, a small molecule inhibitor of multiple myeloma SET domain (MMSET) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2025, 110382, ISSN 0021-9258, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2025.110382. June 14, 2025. 

Overview

KTX-1001 is an experimental drug being tested to treat multiple myeloma. It targets a protein called MMSET (also known as NSD2), which helps myeloma cells grow and survive, especially in patients with certain genetic changes.

What makes KTX-1001 unique?

• It’s a small molecule inhibitor, meaning it’s designed to block MMSET’s activity at the molecular level.
• Early lab tests showed it’s strong and selective, meaning it targets MMSET well without affecting many other proteins.

What did this study test?

• Researchers wanted to confirm how KTX-1001 binds to MMSET.
• At first, a common lab test didn’t show clear binding. But when they flipped the testing method—attaching the drug to the test surface instead of the protein—they saw strong and specific binding.
• They also found that KTX-1001 binds more effectively when tested with nucleosomes (DNA-protein structures) and natural helper molecules, suggesting it works in a complex cell-like environment.

Why this matters:

These results help confirm that KTX-1001 acts directly and specifically on MMSET, supporting its continued testing in clinical trials.

KTX-1001 is a promising new drug aimed at blocking MMSET, a key protein in myeloma growth. Early lab results show strong potential, and the drug is now being tested in patients to see how well it works in real life.

 

 

"Plasma Proteomic Profiles Among White and African American Individuals with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) and Multiple Myeloma (MM)"

Source

Cindy Varga, Kip D. Zimmerman, David M. Foureau, Sumaiya A. Nazli, Peter M. Voorhees, Shebli Atrash, Barry Paul, Christopher Ferreri, Michael Olivier, Manisha Bhutani, Plasma Proteomic Profiles Among White and African American Individuals with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) and Multiple Myeloma (MM), Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.008. June 14, 2025. 

Overview

African American adults are twice as likely to develop both MGUS (a precursor condition to myeloma) and multiple myeloma (MM) compared to White adults. This study looked for reasons for this by comparing proteins in the blood of people with MGUS and MM from both racial groups.

What They Did:

Researchers studied blood samples from 60 people—half had MGUS, half had newly diagnosed MM. Half were African American, half were White. They measured over 1,500 proteins to see which proteins changed as the disease progressed and whether these changes were the same across races.

What They Found:

• 26 proteins changed between MGUS and MM, regardless of race. These proteins may help explain how the disease develops.
• A few proteins—especially PRKDC and another called FLJ41552—were lower only in African American patients with MM.
• 16 proteins changed only in White patients, suggesting some differences in how the disease progresses.

Why It Matters:

These protein changes could lead to better tools for predicting who will develop MM and may even point to new treatments. The race-specific differences also suggest we may need more personalized approaches to care.

What’s Next?

More research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine how these proteins affect disease risk.

 

 

"Practical Use of Talquetamab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: The MSKCC Experience"

Source

Bruno Almeida Costa, Carlyn Rose Tan, Tala Shekarkhand, Ross S. Firestone, Eric M. Jurgens, Kevin Miller, Alexander M. Lesokhin, Gunjan L. Shah, Neha Korde, Sridevi Rajeeve, Heather J. Landau, Michael Scordo, Hani Hassoun, Kylee H. Maclachlan, Urvi A. Shah, Malin Hultcrantz, Issam S. Hamadeh, Alice X. Wang, Sergio A. Giralt, Sham Mailankody, Saad Z. Usmani, Hamza Hashmi, Practical Use of Talquetamab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: The MSKCC Experience, Blood Immunology & Cellular Therapy, 2025, 100005, ISSN 3050-5976, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bict.2025.100005. June 14, 2025.  

Overview

Talvey® (talquetamab) is a new treatment approved for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. While it shows promise, it can cause side effects that affect quality of life.

What This Study Looked At:

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering studied 51 patients who got at least one full dose of talquetamab between August 2023 and October 2024. Most of these patients had tried several other treatments that no longer worked, and many had received other advanced therapies.

What Side Effects Were Reported:

Some of the most common problems weren’t related to the immune system or blood counts. Instead, they affected basic daily functions:

• Weight loss: 69% of patients (only 49% partly or fully recovered)
• Taste changes: 69% (only 29% recovered)
• Dry mouth: 61%
• Trouble swallowing: 43%
• Skin issues (rash and non-rash): up to 69%
• Nail changes: 49%

How It Affected Treatment:

Because of these side effects:

• 18% of patients had to reduce how often they got the drug
• 10% got lower doses
• 8% stopped treatment completely

Most changes were due to oral side effects and weight loss.

Encouraging Sign:

Even when treatment was reduced, many patients still responded well. In fact, those who lowered their dose often had better recovery from side effects like weight loss and taste problems.

What This Means Going Forward:

Talquetamab works, but it’s tough on the body, especially the mouth and digestive system. Future research will focus on how to adjust the dose to balance results with quality of life.

 

 

"Mer receptor expression promotes multiple myeloma disease development via a cell-extrinsic mechanism"

Source

Justine R. Clark, Vasilios Panagopoulos, Jacqueline E. Noll, Krzysztof M. Mrozik, Alanah L. Bradey, Peter I Croucher, Andrew C.W. Zannettino, Kate Vandyke, Duncan R. Hewett, Mer receptor expression promotes multiple myeloma disease development via a cell-extrinsic mechanism, Experimental Hematology, 2025, 104842, ISSN 0301-472X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2025.104842. June 14, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at two proteins called AXL and MER, part of a family known as TAM receptors, which are found on plasma cells in the bone marrow.

What They Already Knew:

• AXL may play a role in putting myeloma cells into a “dormant” (inactive) state.
• MER may help myeloma cells grow and survive.

What This Study Did:

Scientists created mouse myeloma cells that only had either AXL or MER and tested how each one affected tumor growth in lab and animal models.

What They Found:

• AXL didn’t seem to slow or stop the cancer. It didn’t change how the myeloma cells grew or went dormant.
• MER, on the other hand, clearly helped the cancer cells grow faster and led to larger tumors in mice—especially when their immune systems were intact.

Why This Matters:

MER could be a powerful target for future myeloma treatments. Blocking MER might help slow the disease down or improve the effects of other therapies.

AXL may not be useful in controlling myeloma, but MER shows real potential as a treatment target.

 

 

"Thromboembolism in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients on triplet/quadruplet therapy: a post-hoc analysis of BENEFIT"

Source

Emilie Chalayer, Corinne Frere, Elisabeth Daguenet, Thomas Lecompte, Bernard Tardy, Ilhame Bounouara, Manon Sapet, Arthur Bobin, Stephanie Harel, Olivier Decaux, Karim Belhadj, Cyrille Touzeau, Margaret Macro, Mohamad Mohty, Philippe Moreau, Jill Corre, Hervé Avet-Loiseau, Lionel Karlin, Thierry Facon, Aurore Perrot, Cyrille Hulin, Salomon Manier, Laurent Frenzel, Xavier Leleu, Thromboembolism in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients on triplet/quadruplet therapy: a post-hoc analysis of BENEFIT, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2025, ISSN 1538-7836, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2025.06.012. June 14, 2025. 

Overview

Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (nMM) who can’t have a stem cell transplant still face a serious risk: blood clots, also called venous thromboembolism (VTE). These can be life-threatening if not prevented.

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers analyzed data from the BENEFIT trial, which included 257 patients between ages 65 and 79. All were receiving standard treatments for nMM, and most were also given medications to help prevent clots.

Key Findings:

• About 5% of patients developed a blood clot in the first 6 months of treatment.
• The lowest rate of clots (0.8%) was in patients taking low-dose DOACs (a type of blood thinner taken by mouth).
• Patients taking heparin or aspirin had higher rates of clots (5.6% and 9.8%, respectively).
• Around one-third of the people who got a clot weren’t on any clot-prevention medication.
• Two blood markers—proteinuria (protein in urine) and high M-protein levels—were linked to a higher risk of clots.

Even with treatment, blood clots are still a concern for older myeloma patients. However, low-dose DOACs may offer the best protection. If you're starting treatment for multiple myeloma, ask your care team about the best way to prevent clots, especially if you have other risk factors.

 

 

"Efficacy and Toxicity of Radiation Therapy Prior to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Daniels, K., Costello, C., Jeong, A., Sangvhi, P. and Tringale, K.R. (2025), EFFICACY AND TOXICITY OF RADIATION THERAPY PRIOR TO CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR T-CELL THERAPY IN RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA. Hematological Oncology, 43: e453_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_453  June 15, 2025

Overview

CAR-T therapy is a newer treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). But because it takes time to make CAR-T cells, many patients need “bridging therapy” to control the disease while they wait. This study looked at whether adding radiation therapy (RT) to chemotherapy (CT) during this wait made any difference.

What Was Studied:

Researchers looked at 51 RRMM patients treated with CAR-T between 2021 and 2024. Some received chemotherapy only, while others received chemotherapy plus radiation before their CAR-T infusion.

They looked at:

• How long patients stayed in remission
• Overall survival
• Side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (ICANS)
• Where and how relapses occurred

Key Findings:

• No difference in survival or side effects between CT alone vs. CT + RT.
• Radiation timing didn’t affect outcomes or safety.
• Most relapses happened in extramedullary sites (outside the bone marrow), which are harder for CAR-T cells to reach.
• Only two relapses happened in areas that had received radiation.

Why This Matters:

This study suggests that adding radiation is safe and doesn’t interfere with CAR-T therapy. It may help control specific tumor sites, especially those outside the bone marrow.

Radiation may be a useful and safe option for some patients as a bridging therapy before CAR-T, especially if the disease is spreading outside the bones. It didn’t increase side effects and didn’t harm treatment outcomes, offering more flexibility in how doctors can manage RRMM during the waiting period.

 

 

"Comparative Study on Re-Treatment for First Relapse After Proteasome Inhibitor Therapy in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Feng, Y.钰., Zheng, Y. and Zhang, L. (2025), COMPARATIVE STUDY ON RE-TREATMENT FOR FIRST RELAPSE AFTER PROTEASOME INHIBITOR THERAPY IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA. Hematological Oncology, 43: e769_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_769 June 15, 2025.

Overview

Velcade® (bortezomib, or BTZ) is one of the main drugs used to treat multiple myeloma. It’s a type of proteasome inhibitor (PI) and has helped many people live longer. But when the disease comes back—which it often does—doctors face a big question: Should BTZ be used again, or is it better to switch to something new?

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers studied patients who had their first relapse after being treated with BTZ or another PI drug. They compared different second-line treatments using two types of data:

• Clinical trial data (called a network meta-analysis)
• Real-world patient records from West China Hospital

Key Findings:

• In clinical trials, new drug combinations looked promising for people relapsing after BTZ.
• In the real-world group (187 patients), the average time before the cancer came back again (called progression-free survival or PFS) was:
  • 20 months for those treated again with BTZ
  • 24 months for those treated with other drugs
  • The difference wasn't large enough to be statistically significant.
• Similar results were found in patients who relapsed after any PI treatment, not just BTZ. There was no clear advantage to repeating the same type of drug.

What This Means for Patients:

Using BTZ again after relapse may not offer the best results. Other treatment options—especially newer drug combinations—might work better. But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and more studies are needed to guide treatment choices.

If your myeloma comes back after BTZ or another PI drug, it might be time to try a different treatment approach. Talk to your doctor about all the available options, including newer therapies.

 

 

"Trends in the Incorporation of Radiotherapy in the Management of Multiple Myeloma Over the Past Decade: High Local Control Rate and Factors Associated With Its Durability

Source

Dreyfuss, A.D., Fregonese, B., Boe, L., Cajo, A., Cederquist, G., Mankuzhy, N.P., Patel, R., Lapen, K., Moore, Z., Hashmi, H., Mailankody, S., Usmani, S.Z., Imber, B.S. and Yahalom, J. (2025), TRENDS IN THE INCORPORATION OF RADIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA OVER THE PAST DECADE: HIGH LOCAL CONTROL RATE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS DURABILITY. Hematological Oncology, 43: e405_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_405 June 15, 2025.

Overview

Radiation therapy (RT) has long been used in multiple myeloma (MM) mainly to relieve pain. But as treatments for MM evolve, doctors are starting to use radiation in new ways. This study looked at how radiation use has changed and what kinds of patients may benefit the most.

What Was Studied:

Researchers reviewed records from 466 MM patients who received radiation between 2000 and 2022 at a large cancer center. They focused on three key time periods—2013–2016, 2019, and 2022—to see how treatment patterns, outcomes, and patient characteristics changed over time.

Key Findings:

• Radiation use is growing: The number of radiation treatments grew faster than the number of new MM cases—showing it's being used more often as part of modern treatment plans.
• Radiation isn’t just for pain anymore: While symptom relief is still the main reason for RT, more patients are now getting it for other reasons, such as to control tumors before surgery, as part of a salvage plan, or as a bridge to other therapies.
• Patients are sicker: Over time, patients receiving radiation had more advanced disease, more lesions, and more high-risk genetic features.
• Radiation still works:
  • Only 12% of treated lesions came back (local failure).
  • Most patients (84%) had disease progression elsewhere, but the irradiated areas stayed under control.
  • Tumors shrank and lab results improved after RT, showing clear benefit.
• Who’s at higher risk of treatment failure?
  • Patients with disease outside the bone marrow (extramedullary)
  • Those with high-risk genetics
  • Those whose tumors didn’t respond on the first scan after RT

What This Means for Patients:

Radiation therapy is playing a bigger role in myeloma care. While it may not stop the cancer everywhere, it does a good job of controlling targeted lesions, even in patients with aggressive disease.

Radiation therapy is safe, effective, and underused in multiple myeloma. As part of a broader treatment plan, it can help shrink tumors, relieve symptoms, and maintain control in specific areas, even in advanced or high-risk cases. Talk to your care team about whether radiation could be a helpful part of your treatment.

 

 

"Prognostic significance of PET/CT for CAR T cell therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Born, P., Fandrei, D., Wang, S.Y., Perez-Fernandez, C., Fischer, L., Ussmann, J., Bach, E., Hoffmann, S., Metzeler, K.H., Herling, M., Herling, C., Jentzsch, M., Boldt, A., Seiffert, S., Baber, R., Weidner, H., Franke, G.-N., Denecke, T., Sabri, O., Platzbecker, U., Vucinic, V., Meyer, H.J., Kurch, L. and Merz, M. (2025), Prognostic significance of PET/CT for CAR T cell therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. HemaSphere, 9: e70159. https://doi.org/10.1002/hem3.70159  June 15, 2025. 

Overview

PET/CT scans are often used to stage multiple myeloma (MM) and find cancer outside the bones (called extramedullary disease, or EMD). But how helpful are these scans for patients getting CAR-T cell therapy? This study looked for answers.

What Was Studied:

Researchers analyzed 61 patients who received commercial CAR-T cell therapy for MM. Most had PET/CT scans before treatment, and many had another scan 30 days after.

They compared scan results with:

• How well the CAR-T cells expanded and functioned
• Other blood markers of cancer and inflammation

Key Findings

• Patients with EMD outside the bones had much shorter time before the cancer came back (3 months vs. 15 months).
• The number or size of tumors on the scan didn’t predict outcomes as clearly as EMD did.
• Patients with complete response on their follow-up PET/CT had better results overall.
• High tumor activity (measured by metabolic tumor volume, or MTV) was linked to higher blood markers like sBCMA and IL-6, but it didn’t reduce the effectiveness of CAR-T cells.

Why This Matters:

PET/CT can help identify which patients are at higher risk of relapse after CAR-T therapy, especially if they have extramedullary disease. It can also confirm early signs of success after treatment.

For patients with myeloma getting CAR-T therapy, PET/CT is a valuable tool. It helps doctors spot high-risk disease and check how well treatment is working, giving patients and care teams more insight into what to expect next.

 

 

"Multiple Myeloma Unpacked"

Source

Gay, F., Marchetti, E. and Bertuglia, G. (2025), Multiple Myeloma Unpacked. Hematological Oncology, 43: e70067. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70067  June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the bone marrow caused by the overgrowth of plasma cells. While treatments have come a long way in recent years, relapsed and hard-to-treat cases remain a major challenge.

What’s Being Used Now:

Doctors typically treat MM with a combination of therapies, including:

• Proteasome inhibitors
• Immunomodulatory drugs
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Autologous stem cell transplants

These approaches have helped many patients live longer and better lives.

What’s Coming Next:

Researchers are working on new treatments for patients who don’t respond to standard therapy or whose cancer comes back. These include:

• CAR-T cell therapy (a type of personalized immune treatment)
• Bispecific antibodies (which help immune cells find and kill myeloma cells)
• Antibody-drug conjugates (which deliver targeted chemo directly to cancer cells)
• Cereblon E3 Ligase Modulatory Drugs (a new class of drugs targeting proteins inside cancer cells)

There’s real progress being made in how we treat myeloma. With ongoing research and clinical trials, patients have more options than ever—especially for relapsed or difficult-to-treat disease. Talk to your care team about what’s available now and what’s on the horizon.

 

 

"Myeloma cell growth suppression by osteoblast-derived extracellular vesicles: the creation of a non-permissive niche for myeloma cells by bone-forming osteoblasts"

Source

Kim S, Teramachi J, Hiasa M, Amachi R, Bat-Erdene A, Oda A, Tenshin H, Tanaka M, Nakagawa M, Seki A, Sawa Y, Matsuoka K- ichi, Tanaka E, Harada T, Tominaga T, Abe M. Myeloma cell growth suppression by osteoblast-derived extracellular vesicles: the creation of a non-permissive niche for myeloma cells by bone-forming osteoblasts. Haematologica 2025;110(6):1395-1401; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286554.  June 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells tend to grow and survive in the bone marrow, where they damage bone and weaken the body’s defenses. New research has found that mature bone-forming cells (called osteoblasts) may actually help stop myeloma from growing. This research could lead to new treatment options in the future.

What the Study Found:

• Healthy, fully developed osteoblasts (the cells that build bone) can kill myeloma cells without harming normal blood cells.
• These osteoblasts release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry a special molecule called miR-125b.
• miR-125b acts like a tumor suppressor—it turns off genes myeloma cells need to grow and survive.
• When myeloma cells absorb these EVs, they start to die, and important survival signals like IRF4 and MYC go down.
• This effect only happens with mature osteoblasts that are actively building bone, not with immature bone cells.

Why It Matters:

• This study helps explain why building strong, healthy bone might actually help fight myeloma inside the bone marrow.
• It shows that restoring bone health could do more than strengthen bones—it might also create an environment where myeloma can’t thrive.
• Scientists are now exploring ways to deliver synthetic versions of miR-125b or use EVs directly as a future treatment.

Bone-building cells may do more than repair damage; they could also help fight against multiple myeloma. This opens the door to new therapies that not only fight the cancer but also heal and protect the bones at the same time.

 

 

"Efficacy and Safety of Selinexor-Melphalan Combined Conditioning Regimen for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Su, S., Xu, B., Wang, D., Tong, X., Zhu, Y., Wen, Z., Zhang, S., Fu, A., Mao, X., Li, C. and Zhang, D. (2025), EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF SELINEXOR-MELPHALAN COMBINED CONDITIONING REGIMEN FOR AUTOLOGOUS STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA. Hematological Oncology, 43: e768_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_768 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a common treatment for multiple myeloma. It typically uses high-dose melphalan to prepare the body before the transplant. But for patients who are older or have other health problems—like kidney issues or infections—the melphalan dose must often be reduced, which may make the treatment less effective.

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers tested a new combination: Xpovio® (selinexor) and melphalan before stem cell transplant, to see if this approach works well even when melphalan doses are lowered.

Who Was in the Study:

• 12 myeloma patients who had ASCT between 2023 and 2024
• Most had health problems requiring a reduced melphalan dose
• Two younger patients with tough-to-treat disease received the full melphalan dose

Key Results:

• 11 out of 12 patients had a complete response (CR) one month after transplant
• Most were MRD-negative (no measurable cancer cells)
• Only one patient had disease progression within three months

Side effects included:

• Low sodium (83%)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Low potassium
• Mild infections and mouth sores

Most side effects were mild and manageable.

This new approach—adding selinexor to melphalan—looks safe and effective, even for myeloma patients who can’t tolerate high-dose chemotherapy. It may help more people benefit from a stem cell transplant. Discuss all options with your healthcare team.

 

 

"Quality of Life Assessment in Multiple Myeloma Patients: Real-World Study in Kazakhstan"

Source

Turgunova, A., Zinchenko, A., Zhumadilova, Z. and Turgunova, L. (2025), QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA PATIENTS: REAL-WORLD STUDY IN KAZAKHSTAN. Hematological Oncology, 43: e770_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_770 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

For people living with multiple myeloma (MM), the main goal of treatment is to live longer with a better quality of life. But there’s not much real-world data on how patients actually feel, especially outside of Western countries. This study is the first to focus on MM patients in Kazakhstan and what impacts their health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

What Was Studied:

Researchers surveyed 79 patients from two regions of Kazakhstan using standard quality-of-life questionnaires. Patients were of various ages (41 to 85), and most were in some stage of treatment or remission. Some had received autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT), while others had not.

Key Findings:

• Average quality-of-life score was 63 out of 100.
• Fatigue and pain were the most common symptoms reported.
• Physical functioning was the most affected area, while emotional health remained relatively stable.
• Quality of life was better in patients who:
• Responded well to treatment
• Had not progressed to dialysis
• Had undergone ASCT
• Had higher levels of independence in daily tasks
• Those who received ASCT had significantly better quality of life scores than those who didn’t.

What This Means for Patients:

• How well the cancer responds to treatment plays a big role in quality of life.
• Stem cell transplant may provide benefits beyond just disease control; it may also help patients feel better overall.
• Managing physical symptoms like fatigue and pain, and improving everyday independence, are key to improving how patients live with MM.

This study highlights that quality of life matters, not just survival. In Kazakhstan and beyond, helping MM patients feel better physically, maintain independence, and access effective treatment like ASCT can make a meaningful difference.

 

 

"Guidelines for the testing and reporting of cytogenetic results for risk stratification of multiple myeloma: a report of the Cancer Genomics Consortium Plasma Cell Neoplasm Working Group"

Source

Lu, X., Andersen, E.F., Banerjee, R. et al. Guidelines for the testing and reporting of cytogenetic results for risk stratification of multiple myeloma: a report of the Cancer Genomics Consortium Plasma Cell Neoplasm Working Group. Blood Cancer J. 15, 86 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01286-w June 18, 2025. 

Overview

Doctors often use a FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test to look for changes in the genes of people with multiple myeloma. This test helps guide treatment and understand a patient’s risk level. But right now, different labs may use different versions of the test or report the results in different ways, which can cause confusion or mistakes.

To fix this, a group of experts—including lab directors and cancer doctors—came together to agree on the best way to do and report FISH testing for multiple myeloma. They reviewed research, surveyed over 100 oncologists, and created clear guidelines. Their goal is to make sure every patient gets accurate, easy-to-understand results that match up with the most current risk categories used around the world.

These new guidelines are meant to help doctors make better decisions and give patients the most informed care possible.

 

 

"Impact of clonal hematopoiesis on clinical outcomes to BCMA CAR-T in multiple myeloma"

Source

Joshua N. Gustine, Andrew R. Branagan, Diana D. Cirstea, Farah Rexha, Ryan Han, Andrew J. Yee, Marcela V. Maus, Matthew J. Frigault, Noopur S. Raje; Impact of clonal hematopoiesis on clinical outcomes to BCMA CAR-T in multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; 9 (12): 3026–3030. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015981 June 16, 2025. 

Overview

CAR-T therapy is an advanced treatment for multiple myeloma that uses a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer. Two approved CAR-T therapies—Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel) and Carvykti® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel)—target a protein called BCMA. While these treatments work well, they can also cause serious side effects like infections, low blood cell counts, and nervous system problems.

This study looked at how a common genetic condition called CHIP (clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential) might affect CAR-T therapy. CHIP means that some of the blood cells carry genetic changes often seen in blood cancers, but the person doesn’t actually have cancer from those cells. CHIP becomes more common with age and after cancer treatments.

What the Study Found:

Out of 104 patients with multiple myeloma who received BCMA CAR-T therapy, over half had CHIP.

CHIP did not affect how well the CAR-T therapy worked. It also didn’t increase the risk of serious side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity (ICANS).

However, patients with CHIP were more likely to have long-lasting low blood counts. In fact, about 1 in 7 people with CHIP still needed blood growth factors or transfusions a year after treatment.

This matters because long-term low blood counts can increase the risk of infections, which are a leading cause of death not related to cancer relapse.

What It Means for You:

If you're getting CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma, having CHIP likely won’t change how well the treatment works. But it might mean a slower recovery of your bone marrow and a higher risk of needing transfusions for longer. Doctors may monitor you more closely if you have CHIP, especially for signs of infection.

Researchers are still studying why CHIP slows down blood recovery and how to manage this risk better in the future.

 

 

"Novel immunotherapy for multiple myeloma involving activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells"

Source

Masayuki Kurimoto, Tomohiro Watanabe, Masatoshi Kudo, Novel immunotherapy for multiple myeloma involving activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, Molecular Therapy Oncology, Volume 33, Issue 2, 2025, 201004, ISSN 2950-3299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omton.2025.201004. June 18, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have found a new way to help the immune system fight multiple myeloma more effectively. The study focused on a type of immune cell called plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which normally produce a protein called interferon-alpha (IFN-α) that helps the body attack viruses and cancer cells.

In multiple myeloma, these pDCs don’t work properly—they stop making enough IFN-α, which allows cancer cells to grow. Scientists wanted to find a way to “reboot” these immune cells so they could start fighting back.

The study showed that a drug called ATRA, when combined with certain immune-activating substances (called TLR7 or TLR9 agonists), helped pDCs produce more IFN-α even in the presence of multiple myeloma cells. This led to slower cancer growth and better survival in lab models.

When they added Velcade® (bortezomib, or BTZ)—a drug already used for multiple myeloma—the combination was even more effective. This triple therapy (ATRA + TLR agonist + BTZ) could be a powerful new option for patients.

However, the researchers also noted that ATRA can have both helpful and harmful effects depending on the dose. At the wrong levels, it might accidentally help cancer cells avoid the immune system. So, more research is needed to fine-tune this treatment before it can be used in patients.

This study points to a new immunotherapy approach for multiple myeloma that helps restore a key part of the immune response. With further testing, it could lead to better outcomes for patients.

 

 

"Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Complicated by Severe Renal Failure Requiring Hemodialysis"

Source

Kliuchagina, I., Zeynalova, P., Valiev, T., Gromova, E., Kosareva, A. and Gadzhibecov, K. (2025), TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA COMPLICATED BY SEVERE RENAL FAILURE REQUIRING HEMODIALYSIS. Hematological Oncology, 43: e771_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_771 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Some people with multiple myeloma develop serious kidney failure that requires dialysis. While this is a dangerous complication, it can sometimes be reversed with the right treatment. A recent study looked at how well current treatments work for patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma and severe kidney failure.

What Was Studied

Researchers followed 39 patients who started treatment for multiple myeloma while also needing dialysis. Most were given a treatment plan that included the drug Velcade® (bortezomib), which is commonly used in multiple myeloma. Some patients also received stem cell transplants after chemotherapy.

Key Findings

• Nearly half of the patients (49%) showed improvement in their blood cancer markers.
• About 59% showed improvement in kidney function, with some even coming off dialysis.
• Patients who received bortezomib-based treatment were more likely to improve in both blood and kidney function.
• Patients who also had a stem cell transplant lived longer and stayed in remission longer.

Why It Matters

This study shows that using bortezomib early in treatment can help both control the cancer and improve kidney function. Adding a stem cell transplant can boost long-term outcomes even more.

 

 

"Efficacy and Safety of Selinexor, Carfilzomib, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in the Treatment of MM With Extramedullary Disease: A Prospective Multi-Center Study"

Source

Zhou, H., Wang, L., Chu, X., Wang, W.J. and Wang, L. (2025), EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF SELINEXOR, CARFILZOMIB, POMALIDOMIDE AND DEXAMETHASONE IN THE TREATMENT OF MM WITH EXTRAMEDULLARY DISEASE: A PROSPECTIVE MULTI-CENTER STUDY. Hematological Oncology, 43: e773_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_773 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Extramedullary disease (EMD) happens when multiple myeloma spreads outside the bone marrow, such as to soft tissues or organs. It’s harder to treat and often leads to worse outcomes. A new study looked at whether a four-drug combo—Xpovio® (selinexor), Kyprolis® (carfilzomib), Pomalyst® (pomalidomide), and dexamethasone (called SKPD)—could help patients with this form of the disease.

What Was Studied

Ten patients with multiple myeloma and EMD were given SKPD for four cycles. Some then had a stem cell transplant and continued with more treatment. Others received more SKPD without a transplant. After that, all patients went on maintenance therapy. Doctors tracked how well the treatment worked and how safe it was.

What the Study Found

• All 10 patients responded to treatment.
• Half had a complete or near-complete response.
• Four had a partial response.
• One had a very good partial response.
• Five patients had no signs of cancer left (called MRD-negative).
• Most patients stayed in remission. Only two had their cancer return.
• Side effects were mostly mild, like nausea, low white blood cells, or fatigue.
• A few patients had more serious issues like pneumonia or severe neutropenia.

Why This Matters

These early results show that SKPD can be both effective and manageable for patients with multiple myeloma and EMD. It may offer a new path SKPD therapy is showing strong potential in treating multiple myeloma with EMD, especially in patients who've already had other treatments.

 

 

"SOX4-PRUNE1-IGF2BP3-SLC2A1 Axis Promotes Proliferation in Multiple Myeloma With 1q21 Gain"

Source

Wang, Y., Xu, B., Xu, J., Li, P., Ren, L., Chen, C. and Liu, P. (2025), SOX4-PRUNE1-IGF2BP3-SLC2A1 AXIS PROMOTES PROLIFERATION IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA WITH 1q21 GAIN. Hematological Oncology, 43: e774_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_774 June 15, 2025 

Overview

Some patients with multiple myeloma have a genetic change called a 1q21 gain, which can lead to faster-growing cancer. A new study looked at why this happens and found a group of genes working together to drive the disease.

What Was Discovered

Researchers focused on a gene called PRUNE1, which is located in the 1q21 region. They found that PRUNE1 helps cancer cells grow and behave more like stem cells (which can keep the cancer going). They also found that PRUNE1 works with two other key genes, SOX4 and IGF2BP3, to support cancer growth.

This three-gene group—SOX4, PRUNE1, and IGF2BP3—was shown to keep another gene, SLC2A1, stable. SLC2A1 plays a role in how cancer cells use energy, which helps them grow faster.

Why It Matters

Patients with higher levels of IGF2BP3 and a 1q21 gain had shorter progression-free survival, meaning their disease came back sooner after treatment.

This study helps explain why multiple myeloma with 1q21 gain can be more aggressive. It also points to a new treatment idea: blocking the SOX4/PRUNE1/IGF2BP3 pathway may help slow the disease in patients with this genetic change.

 

 

"Clinical Relevance of Peripheral Blood Measurable Residual Disease Assessment in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma After Initial Therapy: A Prospective Study"

Source

Chatterjee, G., Madan, P., Khan, A., Oommen, S., Ghogale, S., Deshpande, N., Patil, J., Girase, K., Poojari, S., Rajpal, S., Patkar, N.V., Jain, H., Nayak, L., Mirgh, S., Jindal, N., Gokarn, A., Punatar, S., Karande, P., Shetty, D., Ghosh, K., Sengar, M., Khattry, N., Subramanian, P.G., Bagal, B. and Tembhare, P.R. (2025), CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD MEASURABLE RESIDUAL DISEASE ASSESSMENT IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA AFTER INITIAL THERAPY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY. Hematological Oncology, 43: e404_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_404 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Tracking measurable residual disease (MRD)—the small number of cancer cells left after treatment—is one of the best ways to see how well multiple myeloma treatment is working. Until now, this has usually required a bone marrow biopsy, which is painful and invasive. But researchers are testing whether a simple blood test could give similar information.

What the Study Did

This study followed 94 people who had just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. After 8 cycles of standard treatment (called VRd), they were tested for MRD using both bone marrow and blood samples.

What the Study Found

• About 64% had MRD detected in the bone marrow, and
• 19% had MRD detected in their blood.
• All patients with MRD in the blood also had MRD in their bone marrow.
• Patients with MRD in their blood were much more likely to have their cancer come back quickly.
• Even though fewer patients had detectable MRD in the blood, it was a strong warning sign. These patients had much shorter progression-free survival (PFS), meaning their disease came back sooner, compared to those with no MRD in the blood.

Why This Matters

This study suggests that MRD testing through blood could be a useful and far less painful way to monitor how patients are doing. Blood-based MRD could help doctors:

• Identify high-risk patients earlier
• Reduce how often patients need bone marrow biopsies
• Decide who might need more aggressive or ongoing treatment

 A blood test for MRD may be a powerful, less invasive tool to track multiple myeloma and catch signs of early relapse, especially in patients at higher risk.

 

 

"A Single-Arm, Multi-Center, Observational Study of Selinexor Combined Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in High-Risk Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Yin, J., Wu, H., Zhou, X., Li, X., Yuan, C., Chu, X., Wang, B., Hao, L., Guo, X. and Zhong, Y. (2025), A SINGLE-ARM, MULTI-CENTER, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SELINEXOR COMBINED BORTEZOMIB, LENALIDOMIDE, AND DEXAMETHASONE IN HIGH-RISK NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA. Hematological Oncology, 43: e403_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_403 June 15, 2025.  

Overview

Patients with high-risk multiple myeloma (MM), including those with extramedullary disease (EMD)—where cancer spreads outside the bone marrow—often have poorer outcomes. There’s no standard treatment for newly diagnosed patients with these high-risk features, but a new study is testing a promising drug combination.

What Was Studied

This study tested a treatment regimen called XVRd, which combines:

• Xpovio® (selinexor),
• Velcade® (bortezomib),
• Revlimid® (lenalidomide), and
• dexamethasone.

Patients received this combo as their first treatment after diagnosis. The study included people with high-risk genetics, EMD, or plasma cell leukemia.

What the Study Found

• Out of 30 patients:
  • 93% responded to treatment
  • 14 had a complete or near-complete response
  • 5 had no measurable disease left (MRD-negative)
• 12 patients with EMD had their tumors disappear on imaging
• Most patients were still in remission one year later, with a 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 89%.

Side effects were generally manageable and happened mostly in the first two treatment cycles. Only a few patients had serious drops in blood counts, and no severe non-blood-related side effects were reported.

Why This Matters

These early results show that XVRd is both safe and effective for newly diagnosed high-risk MM patients, including those with EMD. It could offer a new first-line treatment option for this challenging group.

XVRd shows strong promise for treating high-risk multiple myeloma and EMD. More follow-up is needed, but early results are encouraging.

 

 

"STING Drives Multiple Myeloma Progression via Cell Cycle Dysregulation and Apoptosis Suppression"

Source

Huang, C., Zhao, Y., Liu, Y., Wu, Y., Chen, X., Mi, Q., Luo, L. and Wen, X. (2025), STING DRIVES MULTIPLE MYELOMA PROGRESSION VIA CELL CYCLE DYSREGULATION AND APOPTOSIS SUPPRESSION. Hematological Oncology, 43: e775_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_775  June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Patients with high-risk multiple myeloma (MM), including those with extramedullary disease (EMD), where cancer spreads outside the bone

A recent study has identified STING, a protein involved in the body’s immune response, as a possible driver of multiple myeloma growth, especially in newly diagnosed patients. Researchers looked at STING levels in bone marrow and studied how it affects cancer cell behavior.

What They Found

• STING levels were much higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to people without cancer.
• High STING was linked to more cancerous plasma cells, worse disease stage, and weaker immune signals, suggesting a link to faster-growing or more aggressive myeloma.
• In lab tests, myeloma cells with high STING:
  • Grew faster
  • Avoided cell death (apoptosis)
  • Showed changes in key genes that control the cell cycle and survival
• When researchers used a drug called H-151 to block STING, the myeloma cells:
  • Stopped growing
  • Started dying
  • Showed reduced activity in genes that help cancer survive

Why It Matters

This study shows that STING may be helping multiple myeloma cells grow and resist treatment, especially early in the disease. Blocking STING could slow the cancer down and make it easier to treat.

STING appears to play a major role in multiple myeloma progression. Targeting it with drugs like H-151 may offer a new way to treat the disease, especially in patients with high STING activity.

 

 

"Prognostic Risk Stratification Model for Multiple Myeloma Based on Group-Based Trajectory Modeling"

Source

Tang, W., Zhang, L. and Niu, T. (2025), PROGNOSTIC RISK STRATIFICATION MODEL FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA BASED ON GROUP-BASED TRAJECTORY MODELING. Hematological Oncology, 43: e776_70096. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70096_776 June 15, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma affects each patient differently, and it's important for doctors to know early on who might be at higher risk. A new study developed a better way to predict long-term outcomes by tracking how certain biomarkers change over time after treatment.

What Was Studied

Researchers looked at medical data from 635 newly diagnosed patients at West China Hospital. They focused on monthly lab results from the first year of treatment—such as M protein, free light chains, creatinine, and hemoglobin—to see how these numbers changed. This method is called group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM).

Key Findings

• The researchers created a risk score based on how a patient’s biomarkers changed over time.
• Patients were grouped into low-risk and high-risk categories.
• High-risk patients had significantly shorter survival times than those in the low-risk group.
• The team built a tool (called a nomogram) that uses this risk score, along with age, disease stage, treatment type, and other health issues, to help doctors predict a patient’s 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival chances.
• The tool was tested and worked well at predicting outcomes.

Why It Matters

This model gives doctors a more accurate and personalized way to assess risk and plan treatment. Instead of relying on a single test result, it uses biomarker trends over time, which can provide a clearer picture of a patient’s disease.

This new risk model helps identify high-risk multiple myeloma patients earlier, making it easier to tailor treatments and improve outcomes.

 

 

"Radiation Therapy for Oligo-Relapsed/Progressive Disease Post-Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma: Factors Associated With Favorable Outcomes"

Source

Fregonese, B., Dreyfuss, A., Imber, B. and Yahalom, J. (2025), RADIATION THERAPY FOR OLIGO-RELAPSED/PROGRESSIVE DISEASE POST-STEM CELL TRANSPLANT FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FAVORABLE OUTCOMES. Hematological Oncology, 43: e407_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_407 June 16, 2025

Overview

For some people with multiple myeloma, the cancer can come back in just one or a few spots after a stem cell transplant (SCT). This is known as oligo-relapsed or oligo-progressive disease. In these cases, radiation therapy (RT) may be a helpful tool to control the disease locally and possibly delay the need for more treatment.

What the Study Looked At

This study reviewed 31 patients who had limited myeloma relapse or progression after SCT and were treated with radiation between 2000 and 2021. Doctors looked at how well the cancer responded to RT and how long it took for the disease to progress afterward.

Key Findings

• Most patients (77%) had bone-only disease, and a smaller group (23%) had disease outside the bone marrow.
• After radiation:
  • Nearly half of patients had a complete or partial response right away.
  • Most of the rest improved later, with many reaching complete remission around 6 months after treatment.
• Over time, 87% of patients needed further systemic (whole-body) treatment, typically with a median of 3 different therapies.
• Patients whose cancer was more active (based on PET scans) or who had other spots of disease not treated with RT were more likely to have a quicker relapse.

Why This Matters

Radiation can be a strong tool to manage small, localized relapses of myeloma after a stem cell transplant. It may help some patients delay more aggressive treatments. However, those with more active disease or an early relapse after SCT may need closer monitoring and more intensive care.

Radiation therapy offers good local control for limited myeloma relapse after SCT. It may be especially useful as part of a personalized treatment plan for patients with just one or a few areas of disease returning.

 

 

"Progression Patterns by Positron Emission Tomography for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma After CAR T Cell Therapy: Potential Role for Radiotherapy?"

Source

Dreyfuss, A.D., Hubbeling, H., Fregonese, B., Cederquist, G., Mankuzhy, N.P., Patel, R., Lapen, K., Moore, Z., Hashmi, H., Mailankody, S., Usmani, S.Z., Yahalom, J. and Imber, B.S. (2025), PROGRESSION PATTERNS BY POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY FOR RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA AFTER CAR T CELL THERAPY: POTENTIAL ROLE FOR RADIOTHERAPY?. Hematological Oncology, 43: e413_70094. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70094_413 June 16, 2025 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy has become a powerful option for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. But for many, the response doesn't last, and the cancer eventually relapses. A new study looked closely at where and how the disease returns after CAR T, using PET scans to find patterns and possibly new ways to improve treatment.

What Was Studied

Researchers reviewed 71 patients who got BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy. They analyzed hundreds of cancer spots seen on PET scans before and after treatment to understand which types of lesions were more likely to come back and whether those could be targeted earlier.

Key Findings

• Most patients had a mix of bone and soft tissue lesions (osseous and extramedullary/paramedullary).
• After CAR T therapy, soft tissue lesions (extramedullary and paramedullary) were more likely to grow back than bone lesions.
• Lesions that were already growing before CAR T therapy were much more likely to come back after treatment.
• Patients with more than 3 lesions or extramedullary disease had shorter progression-free survival, meaning their disease returned sooner.

Why It Matters

This research suggests that certain high-risk spots—especially soft tissue lesions or those already growing before treatment—might benefit from radiation therapy (RT) before CAR T to reduce their size and lower the risk of early relapse.

Radiation before CAR T could help control high-risk areas of disease in multiple myeloma. More research is needed, but this approach could lead to more durable results for patients most likely to relapse.

 

 

"Integrative analysis of bulk and single-cell gene expression profiles to identify bone marrow mesenchymal cell heterogeneity and prognostic significance in multiple myeloma"

Source

Ju, FE., Huang, BH., Wu, H. et al. Integrative analysis of bulk and single-cell gene expression profiles to identify bone marrow mesenchymal cell heterogeneity and prognostic significance in multiple myeloma. J Transl Med 23, 659 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06637-6 June 16, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers are learning more about how mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the bone marrow affect multiple myeloma. These cells, which normally support bone and immune health, can actually help the cancer grow, avoid the immune system, and resist treatment.

What the Study Looked At

Using advanced single-cell RNA sequencing, scientists examined bone marrow samples from both healthy donors and people with myeloma. They wanted to understand how different types of MSCs behave at various stages of the disease.

Key Findings

• MSCs in myeloma patients were more diverse than previously thought.
• Four major MSC subtypes were identified:
  • Bone-building (osteogenic)
  • Blood vessel-forming (angiogenic)
  • Immune-regulating
  • Multipotent (can become many cell types)
• A unique MSC group called HMGhMSC was found to have a strong influence on the tumor environment, helping myeloma grow and suppress the immune system.
• As the disease progresses, the bone-building MSCs decrease, which may help explain why patients develop bone damage.
• The team created a new risk model based on these stem cell types, which could help predict outcomes and guide new treatment approaches.

Why It Matters

This study shows that targeting specific MSCs, especially HMGhMSCs, may help fight bone damage and immune suppression in multiple myeloma.

The bone marrow environment plays a big role in myeloma’s behavior. Understanding and targeting certain stem cell types could lead to better treatments and improved outcomes.

 

 

"Updated Interim Results of Sonrotoclax + Dexamethasone in Patients With t(11;14)-Positive Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (R/R MM): An All-Oral Treatment"

Source

Dhakal, B., Hultcrantz, M., Nathwani, N., Venner, C.P., Lu, J., Slade, M.J., Kaufman, J.L., Chuah, H., Min, C., Kim, K., Cheng, H., Idoine, A., Zhang, W., Wang, X., Agarwal, A. and Quach, H. (2025), UPDATED INTERIM RESULTS OF SONROTOCLAX + DEXAMETHASONE IN PATIENTS WITH T(11;14)-POSITIVE RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA (R/R MM): AN ALL-ORAL TREATMENT. Hematological Oncology, 43: e123_70093. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70093_123 June 16, 2025 . 

Overview

A new treatment combination for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) is showing encouraging results in patients with a specific genetic feature known as t(11;14). This genetic marker is seen in some patients with myeloma and may respond well to drugs that target a protein called BCL2.

What Was Studied

Researchers tested sonrotoclax (sonro)—a next-generation BCL2 inhibitor—combined with dexamethasone (dex) in patients who had already tried other treatments. Sonro is a newer, more selective version of venetoclax, designed to work better and clear from the body faster.

Key Results

• Two dose levels were studied: 320 mg and 640 mg of sonro, taken once daily along with weekly dex.
• In the higher dose group (640 mg):
  • 81% of patients responded to treatment
  • Over half had a very good partial response or better
  • Responses started quickly—within 3 weeks for most patients
  • The median time before the cancer started to grow again was over a year (13.3 months)
• Side effects were generally manageable:
  • The most common issues were mild fatigue, insomnia, or diarrhea
  • Serious side effects occurred in some patients but were not linked to the treatment in most cases

Why This Matters

There are currently no approved BCL2-targeted therapies for multiple myeloma, despite promising research. This study shows that an all-oral treatment with sonro and dex is not only convenient but also highly effective for patients with t(11;14)-positive disease.

The sonro + dex combination is showing strong potential for patients with hard-to-treat, t(11;14)-positive multiple myeloma. More studies are ongoing to explore how it might work even better in combination with other treatments.

 

 

"A phase 2 study of Daratumumab with Thalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed and/or Refractory Myeloma (RRMM)"

Source

Nagarajan, C., Jen, WY., Ooi, M. et al. A phase 2 study of Daratumumab with Thalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed and/or Refractory Myeloma (RRMM). Blood Cancer J. 15, 109 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01296-8 June 17, 2025. 

Overview

A new study from South Korea and Singapore has shown that a more affordable drug combination—Darzalex® (daratumumab),Thalomid® (thalidomide), and dexamethasone (DTd)—can be an effective and well-tolerated option for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Why This Matters

In many parts of the world, access to advanced treatments is limited by cost. Daratumumab has proven highly effective when combined with newer drugs like lenalidomide or pomalidomide, but those medications can be expensive and harder to get. Thalidomide, an older drug that’s more widely available and affordable, could offer a cost-effective alternative when used with daratumumab and dexamethasone.

What the Study Did

The trial included 70 patients with RRMM across multiple hospitals. All had previously received treatment, but their myeloma had come back. They received:

• Daratumumab (IV infusion) on a tapering schedule
• Thalidomide (pill) daily for 1 year
• Dexamethasone (pill) weekly

After the first year, only daratumumab and dexamethasone were continued unless the disease came back or side effects developed.

What the Study Found

• 82% of patients responded to treatment, with 64% showing a very good partial response or better.
• The median time before the cancer returned (PFS) was 16 months.
• The average overall survival (OS) was over 33 months.
• The treatment worked across all age groups, including those with kidney problems and those who had a stem cell transplant.
• Patients who received the treatment earlier in their disease course responded better than those who had more prior therapies.

Side Effects

Most side effects were mild and manageable. Common issues included:

• Infections (mostly respiratory, some serious)
• Fatigue
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling)
• Constipation
• Infusion-related reactions (mostly mild)

There were some serious infections, including a few deaths from pneumonia, which is not uncommon in this group of heavily treated patients.

Who Might Benefit

This DTd combination may be especially helpful for:

• Patients who have limited access to newer or more expensive drugs
• Patients with kidney problems, since thalidomide is easier on the kidneys than some alternatives
• Those who have been exposed to immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) but are not yet resistant to them

The DTd combination offers an effective, lower-cost treatment option for relapsed or refractory myeloma. While newer drugs may offer additional benefits, DTd may help expand access to quality care, especially in countries or settings where cost and availability are barriers.

 

 

"Long-Term Trends and Projections of Multiple Myeloma Across Three Continents: A Comparative Study of China, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, England and France"

Source

H. Wu, Z. Cai, W. Liu, et al., “ Long-Term Trends and Projections of Multiple Myeloma Across Three Continents: A Comparative Study of China, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, England and France (1990–2036),” Cancer Medicine 14, no. 12 (2025): e70999, https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70999. June 18, 2025.  

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is on the rise globally, but how it affects people—and how well it’s managed—can vary greatly by country. This study looked at trends in MM across five major countries: China, the U.S., Russia, England, and France.

What Was Studied:

• Researchers used global health data from 1990 to 2021 to track:
• How often MM is diagnosed (incidence)
• How often people die from it (mortality)
• How these trends may change over the next 15 years

Key Findings:

• China and Russia: MM cases and deaths are going up, especially in older adults.
• United States: MM diagnosis and death rates are going down, thanks to better screening and treatment.
• England and France: More people are being diagnosed, but death rates are staying stable.
• The data also showed that age, time period, and birth generation all play a role in MM risk.

What This Means:

• Countries like the U.S., England, and France are benefiting from early diagnosis and advanced treatment.
• China and Russia need to focus more on early detection, access to treatment, and elderly care to manage the growing burden.
• Public health efforts should target lifestyle and environmental risk factors and improve care for aging populations.

Where you live can impact your risk and outcome with multiple myeloma. Progress is being made in some countries, but others are still facing growing challenges, especially for older adults. More global research is needed to close these gaps and improve care for everyone.

 

 

"The oligosaccharyltransferase complex is an essential component of multiple myeloma plasma cells"

Source

Nguyen HP, Liu E, Le AQ, Lamsal M, Misra J, Srivastava S, Hemavathy H, Kapur R, Zaid MA, Abonour R, Zhang J, Wek RC, Walker BA, Tran NT. The oligosaccharyltransferase complex is an essential component of multiple myeloma plasma cells. Mol Ther Oncol. 2025 Mar 8;33(2):200964. doi: 10.1016/j.omton.2025.200964. June 18, 2025. 

Overview

Scientists have discovered a new way to potentially fight multiple myeloma (MM), especially in patients whose disease has stopped responding to treatment. The key? Targeting a group of proteins called the OST complex.

What Is the OST Complex?

The oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex helps cells build and maintain proteins. In myeloma cells, it's found at higher levels, especially in patients with relapsed or high-risk disease. This study shows that blocking the OST complex can slow or stop myeloma cell growth, making it a possible new treatment target.

Key Discoveries:

• Blocking the OST complex (genetically or with a drug called NGI-1) caused myeloma cells to die, but this didn’t harm healthy cells.
• It shut down important survival signals in myeloma cells, including MYC, a gene that helps cancer grow.
• When combined with bortezomib, a standard myeloma drug, NGI-1 worked even better, even in drug-resistant cells.
• This combo treatment reduced key markers of drug resistance, making resistant cells easier to kill.
• In lab studies and animal models, this combination led to smaller tumors and longer survival.

Why This Matters:

Many patients eventually become resistant to proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib. By targeting the OST complex, researchers may have found a way to restore drug sensitivity and attack myeloma cells from a new angle.

What’s Next?

While these results are from early lab studies, they show promise for future clinical trials. More work is needed to fully understand the safety and effects of NGI-1 and similar drugs in humans.

Researchers have uncovered a new weakness in myeloma cells that could lead to more effective treatments, especially for those facing drug resistance. A drug that blocks the OST complex, when combined with bortezomib, may offer new hope for harder-to-treat cases of multiple myeloma.

 

 

"The Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia Assessed by the Psoas Muscle Index in Multiple Myeloma Patients"

Source

Kilic Gunes, E., Kilic, K.K. & Ayli, M. The Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia Assessed by the Psoas Muscle Index in Multiple Myeloma Patients. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-025-02069-w  June 19, 2025. 

Overview

Sarcopenia—the loss of muscle mass or strength—is common in many types of cancer. This study looked at how sarcopenia affects survival in people with multiple myeloma (MM).

What Was Studied:

Researchers looked at 181 MM patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2024. They used a simple measurement called the Psoas Muscle Index (PMI) from routine CT scans to check for sarcopenia.

Key Findings:

• About 30% of patients had sarcopenia.
• Those with sarcopenia were:
  • Older
  • Had lower body weight, less muscle, lower albumin, and lower hemoglobin levels
  • Less likely to be eligible for stem cell transplant
• Sarcopenia was linked to:
  • Shorter progression-free survival (PFS)
  • Shorter overall survival (OS)
• Other important risk factors for lower survival included:
  • High LDH levels
  • High-risk genetic markers
  • Not being eligible for transplant
• Sarcopenia had the biggest impact on survival in patients who couldn’t get a transplant. In patients who were eligible for transplant, it didn’t affect survival as much.

Why It Matters:

Checking for sarcopenia using the PMI is easy, low-cost, and can be done with existing scan results. Knowing whether a patient has sarcopenia can help doctors predict outcomes and personalize treatment, especially for older or frail patients.

Muscle loss is a serious risk factor in multiple myeloma, especially for patients who aren’t eligible for transplant. Measuring sarcopenia could become part of routine care to help guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes.

 

 

"A natural head start to MRD negativity in multiple myeloma"

Source

Erin W. Meermeier; A natural head start to MRD negativity in multiple myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (25): 2936–2937. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028710  June 19, 2025.  

Overview

Natural killer (NK) cells are a key part of the immune system that help the body fight cancer, including multiple myeloma (MM). This study looked at how NK cells in the bone marrow affect how well patients respond to immunotherapy, especially treatment with daratumumab, a CD38-targeting antibody.

What the Study Found:

• Some patients had fewer CD16+ NK cells (the type that kills cancer cells) at the time of diagnosis.
• These patients had weaker immune responses, even when daratumumab was added to their treatment.
• Patients with more CD16+ NK cells were more likely to achieve minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, meaning very few or no signs of cancer left after treatment.
• This link was only seen in patients who received daratumumab, not in those who didn’t.

Why This Matters:

This study shows that the amount and function of NK cells in the bone marrow may affect how well a person responds to immunotherapy like Darzalex® (daratumumab).

Knowing a patient’s NK cell levels at diagnosis could help doctors better predict who will benefit most from certain immunotherapies—and may guide more personalized treatment plans for people with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Extramedullary disease is associated with severe toxicities following B-cell maturation antigen CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma"

Source

Portuguese AJ, Liang EC, Huang JJ, Jeon Y, Dima D, Banerjee R, Kwok M, Cicero KI, Hirayama AV, Basom R, Khouderchah C, Shadman M, Fong L, Cowan AJ, Gauthier J. Extramedullary disease is associated with severe toxicities following B-cell maturation antigen CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287985 [Early view].  June 19, 2025.  

Overview

Extramedullary disease (EMD) happens when multiple myeloma spreads outside the bones into soft tissues. This study looked at how EMD affects the results of CAR-T cell therapy, specifically the treatments Abecma® (ide-cel) and Carvykti® (cilta-cel).

What Was Studied:

Researchers reviewed 108 patients treated with CAR-T therapy between 2021 and 2024. They compared outcomes between patients with and without EMD.

Key Findings:

• 24% of patients had EMD.
• Patients with EMD experienced:
  • More severe side effects like brain-related symptoms (ICANS) and immune reactions (eICAHT).
  • Longer-lasting low white blood cell counts, leading to more infections, including sepsis.
  • Lower complete response rates (20% with EMD vs. 59% without).
  • Shorter time before the disease came back (7.6 vs. 24.6 months).
  • Shorter overall survival (20 months vs. not yet reached).
  • Higher chance of dying from treatment-related issues within the first year (21% vs. 2.5%).

Why This Matters:

EMD is a sign of more aggressive disease and can reduce the benefits of CAR-T therapy while also increasing the risk of serious side effects and infections.

If you have myeloma that has spread outside the bones, it's important to know that CAR-T therapy may come with more risks and lower effectiveness. Close monitoring, supportive care, and individualized treatment plans are critical for improving outcomes in these cases.

 

 

"Radiopsy: a prospective observational study on quantitative multiparametric whole-body magnetic resonance imaging to discriminate between smoldering and multiple myeloma"

Source

Feliciani G, Loi E, Amadori E, Antognoni E, Iamurri AP, Diano D, Bruno D, Cattabriga A, Caroli P, Marchesini M, Bezzi D, Cangini D, Matteucci F, Barone D, Nappi D, Musuraca G, Ceccolini M, Ronconi S, Azzali I, Martinelli G, Maffioli LS, Normanno N, Sarnelli A, Rossi A, Cerchione C. Radiopsy: a prospective observational study on quantitative multiparametric whole-body magnetic resonance imaging to discriminate between smoldering and multiple myeloma. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287563 [Early view]. June 19, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) usually starts as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and progresses through smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) before becoming active disease. SMM progresses to MM at a rate of about 10–15% per year for some patients.

Doctors typically use bone marrow biopsies and blood tests to diagnose MM and track its progress. However, whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is becoming more useful for spotting both widespread (diffuse) and focused (focal) cancer activity in the bones, even before symptoms appear.

What This Study Looked At:

This research introduced a new concept called "radiopsy," which uses advanced MRI scans to virtually assess the bone marrow, without needing a biopsy. The focus was on two MRI measurements:

• ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient): shows how densely packed cells are
• rFF (relative Fat Fraction): measures fat content, which decreases as cancer cells replace healthy marrow
• The goal was to use these imaging tools to:
• Predict the presence of disease
• Track how well the treatment is working
• Possibly replace some physical biopsies with non-invasive scans

Who Was Studied:

Patients suspected of having SMM or MM were enrolled from 2021 to 2024. All underwent advanced WB-MRI scans and had traditional bone marrow biopsies for comparison. Only patients with good-quality scans and no other serious conditions were included.

Why This Matters:

By comparing MRI results to biopsy findings, researchers hope to develop a non-invasive way to measure disease burden in MM—especially in hard-to-reach parts of the body. This approach could make diagnosis and monitoring safer, faster, and less painful for patients.

This study is helping pave the way toward using high-tech imaging instead of traditional biopsies to detect and monitor multiple myeloma. While more research is needed, it’s a promising step toward more comfortable and precise care.

 

 

"Daratumumab and isatuximab differentially affect CD38 detection on plasma cells in myeloma: Anti-CD38 nanobody (clone JK36) and CD319 combination improve flow cytometric identification of plasma cells after targeted therapies"

Source

Shameli A, Catey T, Woodings V, Koepke O, Fromm JR, Cherian S. Daratumumab and isatuximab differentially affect CD38 detection on plasma cells in myeloma: Anti-CD38 nanobody (clone JK36) and CD319 combination improve flow cytometric identification of plasma cells after targeted therapies. Br J Haematol. 2025; 00: 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20218 June 19, 2025. 

Overview

Drugs like Darzalex® (daratumumab) and Sarclisa® (isatuximab) have helped improve outcomes for people with multiple myeloma. These treatments work by targeting a protein called CD38, which is found on myeloma cells. But here's the catch—because these drugs block CD38, they can make it harder to detect cancer cells using a lab test called flow cytometry.

What Was the Problem?

Flow cytometry is often used to check for abnormal plasma cells (the type of cell involved in myeloma). But when CD38 is blocked by treatment, those cells can become invisible in standard tests, making it difficult to monitor the disease.

What This Study Did:

Researchers tested an improved version of the flow cytometry panel that uses 11 different markers, including a special tool called JK36, which can still find CD38 even when daratumumab is present.

Key Findings:

• Daratumumab made CD38 hard to detect with standard methods, but JK36 was able to detect it in most cases.
• Isatuximab worked differently—it blocked detection by JK36 but still allowed weak detection using older tools.
• By using a mix of markers, the test could still accurately find abnormal plasma cells, even after CD38-targeting therapies.

Why It Matters:

As new treatments become more common, monitoring the disease accurately becomes more complex. This study shows that advanced testing panels can help doctors continue to track myeloma cells effectively, even after patients start therapies that interfere with standard lab markers.

 

 

"GCK Inhibition Enhances Iberdomide Anti-Myeloma Effects by Promoting IKZF1 Degradation via a CRBN-Independent Mechanism"

Source

Shirong Li, Josefine Krüger, Guifen Liu, Huihui Ma, Michael S. Hughes, Rajshekhar Chakraborty, Divaya Bhutani, Markus Y. Mapara, Christophe Marcireau, Suzanne Lentzsch, Jing Fu, GCK Inhibition Enhances Iberdomide Anti-Myeloma Effects by Promoting IKZF1 Degradation via a CRBN-Independent Mechanism, Blood Neoplasia, 2025, 100130, ISSN 2950-3280, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bneo.2025.100130. June 19, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study has identified a new treatment strategy for multiple myeloma (MM)—especially for patients whose disease has become resistant to standard therapies like lenalidomide or iberdomide, which are part of a drug class called IMiDs.

What Was Discovered:

• Researchers found that a protein called GCK (germinal center kinase) plays a key role in helping myeloma cells survive, especially in patients with RAS mutations (a common gene change in MM). Blocking GCK caused:
• A drop in important proteins that myeloma cells need to grow (IKZF1/3, BCL-6, and c-MYC)
• Myeloma cells to stop growing and die

Why This Matters:

Even in drug-resistant cells, blocking GCK still worked, including cells that no longer respond to lenalidomide or iberdomide. It worked through a new pathway, which means it could help patients who’ve already tried and stopped responding to IMiDs.

When GCK inhibitors were combined with iberdomide, the effect was even stronger. The combo treatment:

• Killed more myeloma cells in lab tests
• Shrunk tumors and extended survival in mice with myeloma

This research suggests that targeting GCK—alone or combined with existing drugs like iberdomide—could offer a new option for relapsed or drug-resistant myeloma, especially when other therapies have stopped working. Clinical trials will be the next step to see if this approach helps patients.

 

 

"An analysis of the clinical value of CHI3L1 as a biomarker of multiple myeloma progression"

Source

Langui Tang, Juan Liang, Yazhou Huang, Kaiyun Guo, Yanzhao Huang, Yuxing He, Jun Wang, Ming Lei, An analysis of the clinical value of CHI3L1 as a biomarker of multiple myeloma progression, Clinical Immunology, Volume 275, 2025, 110474, ISSN 1521-6616, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2025.110474. June 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at whether a protein in the blood called CHI3L1 could help doctors predict how multiple myeloma (MM) will progress. Researchers wanted to see if higher levels of this protein are linked to more advanced or worsening disease.

What Was Studied:

The study included 136 MM patients, divided into two groups:

• 95 patients whose disease was not progressing
• 41 patients whose disease was progressing

Researchers compared the amount of CHI3L1 in each patient’s blood using a lab test.

Key Findings:

• CHI3L1 levels were higher in MM patients than in healthy people.
• Patients with more advanced MM (stage III) had higher CHI3L1 levels than those with early-stage disease.
• Patients whose disease was getting worse had significantly higher CHI3L1 levels than those whose condition was stable.
• The risk of disease progression was more than twice as high in patients with high CHI3L1 levels.
• The higher the CHI3L1 level, the greater the chance of progression, even after accounting for other factors.

Why This Matters:

CHI3L1 could be a useful blood marker to help doctors:

• Identify patients at higher risk of progression
• Personalize treatment plans
• Monitor disease more effectively

Higher levels of the protein CHI3L1 in the blood may be a sign that myeloma is more severe or more likely to get worse. This test could someday help doctors better predict how the disease will behave and make more informed treatment decisions.

 

 

"The Role of Heparin in Autologous Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Multiple Myelom"

Source

Ahmet Sarici, Mehmet Ali Erkurt, Seda Yilmaz, Sinan Demircioglu, Ilhami Berber, Abdulkadir Basturk, Mustafa Merter, Irfan Kuku, Mustafa Koroglu, Emin Kaya, Mehmet Sinan Dal, Serdal Korkmaz, Turgay Ulaş, Fevzi Altuntas, The Role of Heparin in Autologous Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Transfusion and Apheresis Science, 2025, 104185, ISSN 1473-0502, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transci.2025.104185. June 20, 2025. 

Overview

For people with multiple myeloma who are eligible, autologous stem cell transplant (aHSCT) is a common and important part of treatment. To make this possible, doctors must first collect CD34+ stem cells from the patient’s blood. These are the cells used to rebuild the bone marrow after high-dose chemotherapy.

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers studied 138 MM patients who underwent aHSCT. They compared those who received heparin (a blood thinner) before stem cell collection with those who did not, to see if it helped collect more CD34+ cells.

Key Findings:

• Patients who got heparin had significantly higher numbers of CD34+ stem cells in their blood.
• This made it easier to collect the cells needed for transplant.
• Response to treatment (complete or partial remission) was similar between both groups.
• Heparin did not negatively affect other health factors like body weight, physical condition, or smoking history.

Why This Matters:

Collecting enough CD34+ stem cells is critical for a successful transplant. This study suggests that heparin may help improve the collection process, making it more efficient and possibly reducing the number of procedures needed.

Using heparin before a stem cell transplant may help doctors collect more of the important CD34+ cells needed for transplant, without affecting treatment outcomes or patient safety. This could make the transplant process easier for patients and more effective overall.

 

 

"Fresh and Cryopreserved Stem Cell Transplantation in Myeloma Patients: Does It Make a Difference on Transplant Outcomes?"

Source

Mehmet Ali Erkurt, Seda Yilmaz, Sinem Namdaroglu, Sinan Demircioglu, Ahmet Sarici, Salih Cirik, Mustafa Koroglu, Mustafa Merter, Semih Basci, Ilhami Berber, Abdulkadir Basturk, Mehmet Sinan Dal, Turgay Ulaş, Serdal Korkmaz, Fevzi Altuntas, Fresh and Cryopreserved Stem Cell Transplantation in Myeloma Patients: Does It Make a Difference on Transplant Outcomes?, Transfusion and Apheresis Science, 2025, 104184, ISSN 1473-0502, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transci.2025.104184. June 20, 2025.     

Overview

For patients with multiple myeloma, autologous stem cell transplant (aHSCT) is a standard treatment option. Before transplant, stem cells are collected from the patient’s blood and either:

• Used fresh (within 1–2 days), or
• Frozen (cryopreserved) for later use.

This study compared outcomes between patients who received fresh vs. frozen stem cells during their transplant.

What Was Studied:

Researchers reviewed 88 patients with myeloma who received aHSCT:

• 45 received fresh stem cells
• 43 received frozen stem cells

They looked at how quickly patients recovered their white blood cells (neutrophils) and platelets after the transplant.

Key Findings:

• White blood cells recovered faster in the fresh group (10 days vs. 12 days).
• Platelets recovered slightly faster in the frozen group (11 days vs. 12 days).
• All patients successfully engrafted, meaning the transplant worked in every case.

Why This Matters:

Both fresh and frozen stem cell options were safe and effective. This means patients and doctors can choose the approach that works best for their schedule, hospital resources, and treatment plan.

Whether stem cells are used fresh or frozen, both options lead to successful transplants for people with multiple myeloma. The choice can be based on convenience, timing, and individual treatment needs.

 

 

"Reduced splenic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor following first-line chemotherapy is associated with poor prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma"

Source

Pan, Q., Chen, Z., Liu, S. et al. Reduced splenic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor following first-line chemotherapy is associated with poor prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. EJNMMI Res 15, 74 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-025-01262-2 June 20, 2025

Overview

Doctors are always looking for better ways to track how well multiple myeloma (MM) is responding to treatment. This study looked at whether a special imaging scan called [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT can help predict how soon the disease may come back or when more treatment might be needed.

What Was Studied:

• 25 newly diagnosed myeloma patients were scanned before and after their first round of chemotherapy.
• Researchers looked at two key outcomes:
• Time to progression (TTP) – how long it takes before the cancer grows again.
• Time to next treatment (TTNT) – how long before another treatment is needed.

Key Findings:

• Patients whose bone marrow activity on the scan dropped less than 40% after treatment had shorter times before their disease progressed or needed more treatment.
• Those who had reduced spleen activity on follow-up scans also had worse outcomes.
• A 20% or more drop in spleen activity after treatment was linked to a higher chance of relapse or early need for additional therapy.
• Spleen activity before treatment didn’t predict outcomes, but changes after treatment did.

Why This Matters:

This type of scan could be a helpful new tool to spot which patients might have higher-risk myeloma after first-line chemotherapy, even before symptoms return or blood tests change.

A [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT scan after initial treatment may help doctors identify which patients are more likely to relapse sooner, allowing them to adjust treatment plans earlier to stay ahead of the disease.

 

 

"Real-World Outcomes of Sequential BCMA-directed therapies in Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma After Belantamab Exposure"

Source

Prerna Mewawalla, Rachel Dileo, Yue Yin, Christopher Strouse, Hira Shaikh, James A Davis, Omar Alkharabsheh, Aliya Rashid, Nausheen Ahmed, Al-Ola Abdallah, Hamza Hashmi, Real-World Outcomes of Sequential BCMA-directed therapies in Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma After Belantamab Exposure, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.015. June 23, 2025. . 

Overview

When multiple myeloma (MM) returns or stops responding to treatment—known as relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)—there is no one-size-fits-all approach for what treatment to use next. A recent study looked at how doctors in Germany choose second- and third-line treatments for these patients.

What Was Studied:

• Doctors reviewed medical records from 268 patients treated in 2021:
• 170 were on second-line therapy
• 98 were on third-line therapy
• They recorded the treatment regimens used and the main reasons behind each decision, including treatment goals and patient characteristics.

Key Findings:

• Second-Line Therapy:
  • Most common drug combinations:
    • DRd (daratumumab, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) – 16.5%
    • KdD (carfilzomib, dexamethasone, daratumumab) – 12.4%
    • Kd (carfilzomib, dexamethasone) – 11.2%
    • Other combinations included KRd, DVd, and VCd
• Main reasons for choosing a regimen:
  • How well the drugs work
  • The patient’s health and condition
  • How the cancer relapsed
• The treatment's main goal is to achieve the deepest possible response and control symptoms or prolong life

• Third-Line Therapy:
  • Most common combinations:
    • Pd (pomalidomide, dexamethasone) – 15.3%
    • DRd and Rd (lenalidomide, dexamethasone) – 13.3% each
    • EPd (elotuzumab, pomalidomide, dexamethasone) – 12.2%
  • Others included Isa-Kd, Isa-KdD, and IRd
• Main reasons for choosing a regimen:
  • How well the treatment worked before
  • Type of drug used before
  • Patient’s overall condition
  • To extend lifespans

Doctors in Germany choose second- and third-line myeloma treatments based on what’s most effective and best suited to the individual patient’s health and treatment history. Because there is no single standard treatment for relapsed myeloma, care is personalized, intending to extend life and control symptoms.

 

 

"Imaging in plasma cell disorders—consensus recommendations of the Asian myeloma network bone imaging workgroup"

Source

Nagarajan, Chandramouli et al. Imaging in plasma cell disorders—consensus recommendations of the Asian myeloma network bone imaging workgroup. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, Volume 59, 101597. June 2025.  

Overview

Imaging (like CT and MRI scans) plays a big role in diagnosing and treating multiple myeloma and related diseases. It helps doctors see how the disease is affecting the body. Experts around the world have created guidelines for which scans to use and when. But in real life, practices vary a lot. Some doctors use the wrong type of imaging—often because of limited training, lack of equipment, or not enough staff. This happens in many parts of the world.

To help, a group of experts from the Asian Myeloma Network created two sets of imaging recommendations—basic and advanced—based on what’s realistic in different healthcare settings. They looked at how doctors are currently using imaging, what the challenges are, and how to improve access to the right scans.

These updated recommendations can help improve care not just in Asia, but worldwide. They also support better education for doctors, nurses, patients, and caregivers—and help healthcare systems plan for what’s needed to give people the best care possible.
 

 

"Association between patient demographics and smoldering multiple myeloma progression to multiple myeloma: A SEER-Medicare data analysis"

Poy Theprungsirikul, Rong Wang, Ishfaq Ahmad, Natalia Neparidze, Xiaomei Ma, Su-Hsin Chang, Shi-Yi Wang, Association between patient demographics and smoldering multiple myeloma progression to multiple myeloma: A SEER-Medicare data analysis, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.016. June 22, 2025. 

Overview

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an early, inactive stage of multiple myeloma. While several tools can estimate the risk of SMM progressing to active (symptomatic) multiple myeloma, it's still unclear how factors like age, race, and gender play a role.

What Was Studied:

Researchers analyzed data from 1,235 people with SMM using Medicare records from 2007 to 2019. They looked at whether patients developed signs of active disease, such as high calcium levels, kidney problems, anemia, or bone damage, and how that related to their age, race, or gender.

Key Findings:

• About 69% of SMM patients eventually progressed to active myeloma.
• Race and gender did not significantly affect the risk of progression.
• Age was the only factor linked to lower risk:
• Patients age 75 and older were less likely to progress than those age 66–69.
• The older the patient, the lower the chance of progression.

Why This Matters:

These results suggest that age may protect against progression from smoldering to active myeloma, possibly because older adults may have slower-growing disease or may pass away from other causes before progression occurs.

If you have smoldering myeloma, your age may influence your risk of progression to active disease, but your race or gender does not. This insight can help doctors better understand how to personalize monitoring and treatment plans for patients with SMM.

 

 

"Indirect Comparison of Linvoseltamab vs Teclistamab for the Treatment of Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Hans C. Lee, Naresh Bumma, Joshua Richter, Jeffrey A. Zonder, James E. Hoffman, Zheng-Yi Zhou, Viviana García-Horton, Mirko Fillbrunn, Hongjue Wang, Matthew Mattera, Wenxin Ma, Timothy J. Inocencio, Yingxin Xu, Evelien Bergrath, James Harnett, Tito Roccia, Kate Knorr, Glenn S. Kroog, Karen Rodriguez Lorenc, Qiufei Ma, Sundar Jagannath, Indirect Comparison of Linvoseltamab vs Teclistamab for the Treatment of Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.06.014. June 22, 2025. 

Overview

Two newer treatments—Lynozyfic™ (linvoseltamab) and Tecvayli® (teclistamab)—are helping people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. Both belong to a group of medicines called BCMA bispecific antibodies, which help the immune system attack cancer cells. But until now, there hasn’t been much data directly comparing them.

In this study, researchers used existing data from two clinical trials to compare how well these two treatments worked. They focused on patients who had already tried several other treatments (known as “triple-class exposed” or TCE patients).

To make the comparison fair, they adjusted the patient groups to make them as similar as possible. After doing that, they found that linvoseltamab showed:

• Longer progression-free survival
• Longer overall survival
• More time before needing another treatment
• Higher chances of deeper responses, like complete remission or minimal residual disease

These results suggest that linvoseltamab may offer better outcomes than teclistamab for people with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have undergone three or more prior lines of treatment. Yet, this wasn’t a head-to-head trial, so more research is needed to confirm these findings.

 

 

"Clinical Outcome of Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma in the Era of Novel Agents: Insights From a Multicenter Study"

Liang, D., Yan, Y., Wang, Q., Bai, S., Xu, W., Feng, D., Bu, Y., Zeng, M., Nie, X., Feng, Y., Chen, X., Xia, Z., Liang, Y., Jin, F. and Wang, H. (2025), Clinical Outcome of Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma in the Era of Novel Agents: Insights From a Multicenter Study. Hematological Oncology, 43: e70112. https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70112  June 23, 2025.  

Overview

Multiple myeloma usually starts in the bone marrow, but in some patients, it can spread to areas outside the bones. This is called extramedullary disease (EMD). A new large study from China looked at how different types of EMD affect treatment outcomes and survival.

What Was Studied:

• Researchers reviewed outcomes for over 1,000 patients with multiple myeloma, divided into three groups:
• Non-EMD: Myeloma only in the bone marrow (597 patients)
• EMB: Myeloma in bones but with visible masses outside the marrow (324 patients)
• EME: “De novo” extramedullary myeloma—myeloma outside the bones and bone marrow at the time of diagnosis (138 patients)

Key Findings:

• Patients with EME had much worse survival compared to the other groups.
• There was no major difference in survival between patients with non-EMD and those with EMB.
• Patients with high-risk genetic changes had worse outcomes across all groups, especially those with two or more abnormalities (classified as “ultra-high risk”).
• For patients with EME, a single stem cell transplant improved outcomes.
• The DVRd treatment combo, which is Darzalex (daratumumab), Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone, may be an effective first treatment for EME patients.

Why This Matters:

This study shows that EME is a very aggressive form of myeloma and needs to be treated differently. It also suggests that EMB should possibly not be grouped with EME, since outcomes are much better.

If myeloma is found outside the bones at diagnosis (EME), it may be harder to treat and progress faster. But early use of stem cell transplant and newer multi-drug treatments like DVRd may improve results. Patients with this form of myeloma should be considered high risk and monitored closely.

 

 

"Blood-derived Cell-Free DNA is a Superior Biomarker for Non-Invasive DNA Methylation Profiling in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Robbe Heestermans, Catharina Olsen, Shervine Ameli, Jana Succari, Toon Janssen, Wouter De Brouwer, Ann De Becker, Isabelle Vande Broek, Marleen H Bakkus, Rik Schots, Elke De Bruyne, Ivan Van Riet; Blood-derived Cell-Free DNA is a Superior Biomarker for Non-Invasive DNA Methylation Profiling in Multiple Myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; bloodadvances.2025016480. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016480 June 25, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, changes in DNA—specifically DNA methylation—play a big role in how the disease grows and responds to treatment. Until now, doctors have mostly studied these changes by taking a bone marrow sample. But that may not tell the full story, because different parts of the bone marrow can show different results.

This new study looked at whether a simple blood test, called a liquid biopsy, could detect the same DNA changes. Researchers studied blood and bone marrow samples from 11 patients with advanced myeloma. They focused on DNA fragments in the blood called cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which can come from tumor cells.

They found that cfDNA matched the bone marrow results in over 75% of cases, and even spotted some changes the bone marrow sample missed. These changes were linked to genes that affect how cancer behaves, like those involved in cell growth and movement.

This is the first study to show that cfDNA from a blood test could be a reliable way to study DNA methylation in myeloma. In the future, this could lead to easier, less invasive tests to help doctors understand and track the disease.

 

 

"Optimising T-cell immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma: practical considerations from the European Myeloma Network"

Source

van de Donk, Niels W C J et al. Optimising T-cell immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma: practical considerations from the European Myeloma Network. The Lancet Haematology, Volume 0, Issue 0. June 25, 2025. 

Overview

Two new types of T-cell-based treatments—CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies—are helping patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Experts from the European Myeloma Network shared updated advice on how to use these therapies safely and effectively.

Here’s what they recommend:

• Use CAR T-cell therapy first if patients are eligible for both options. It tends to lead to stronger, longer-lasting responses and can improve quality of life.
• Start with CAR T-cell therapy before using bispecific antibodies, because taking bispecifics first may make CAR T-cell therapy less effective.
• If the cancer comes back after CAR T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies may still work well.

The experts also stressed the importance of early planning and referral. Patients need tests to check for hidden infections and other risks before starting treatment. And during treatment, strong supportive care is essential to reduce the risk of serious side effects.

These steps help make sure patients get the best possible results from these powerful new therapies.

 

 

"Combining PIM-2 and PARP1 Inhibitors Induces MICA Expression on Multiple Myeloma Cells to Activate NK Cells through NKG2D Binding"

Source

Z. Liu, W. Lei, X. Liu, H. Liu, K. Ding, J. Song, R. Fu, Combining PIM-2 and PARP1 Inhibitors Induces MICA Expression on Multiple Myeloma Cells to Activate NK Cells through NKG2D Binding. Adv. Sci. 2025, e02448. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502448  June 25, 2025 

Overview

Our immune system has different ways of fighting cancer, including special cells called natural killer (NK) cells that attack tumors. But in multiple myeloma, NK cells often don’t get fully activated. This study looked at a way to turn that around.

Researchers found that causing DNA damage in myeloma cells can trigger the cancer to display a signal called MICA on its surface. This signal helps NK cells recognize and attack the tumor through a pathway called NKG2D/MICA.

They tested two drugs in the lab—PIM-2 and PARP1 inhibitors—that increase DNA damage in cancer cells. When used together, the drugs made the myeloma cells more visible to NK cells and boosted the NK cells’ cancer-fighting ability. This effect was confirmed in both lab tests and in mice.

The results suggest that using these two drugs together could help the immune system fight multiple myeloma more effectively by waking up the body’s natural killer cells. It's a promising new direction for future treatment strategies.

 

 

"Hallmarks of T-cell exhaustion and antigen experience are absent in multiple myeloma from diagnosis to maintenance therapy"

Source

Carolyn Shasha, David R. Glass, Ernest Moelhman, Laura Islas, Yuan Tian, Tony Chour, Guoyue Xu, Gregory L. Szeto, Tao Peng, Xiaoling Song, Michelle Wurscher, Andrew J. Cowan, Thomas F. Bumol, Troy R. Torgerson, Philip D. Greenberg, Damian J. Green, Evan W. Newell; Hallmarks of T-cell exhaustion and antigen experience are absent in multiple myeloma from diagnosis to maintenance therapy. Blood 2025; 145 (26): 3113–3123. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025655  June 26, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, the immune system—especially T cells—can struggle to attack the cancer effectively. In many cancers, T cells become "exhausted," meaning they’ve been fighting too long and lose their ability to respond. This study looked at whether that happens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

Researchers studied T cells from the bone marrow and blood of patients at different stages of treatment, from diagnosis through stem cell transplant and maintenance therapy. They expected to find signs of T-cell exhaustion, but they didn’t.

Instead, they found:

• No strong signs of T-cell exhaustion—the T cells didn’t show typical markers of burnout.
• A small group of T cells looked somewhat exhausted, but they weren’t common or long-lasting.
• Many T cells were still active, possibly driven by the body’s own signals rather than the cancer itself.

This means that, early in the disease, T cells may still have the energy and ability to fight back, which is important for designing immune-based treatments that can work with, not around, the body’s defenses

 

 

"When the silence speaks: T-cell dysfunction in myeloma"

Source

Mirco J. Friedrich, Marc S. Raab; When the silence speaks: T-cell dysfunction in myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (26): 3064–3066. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025029262  June 26, 2025.  

Overview

In many cancers, the immune system fights hard at first, especially T cells, which can recognize and kill tumor cells. But over time, they often get "exhausted" and stop working well. This "T-cell exhaustion" is common in solid tumors and is a major reason why cancer can escape immune attack.

But a new study by Shasha and colleagues challenges that idea in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). They looked closely at CD8+ T cells—immune cells that usually fight cancer—and found no signs of exhaustion, even in patients already undergoing treatment.

What They Found:

T cells in patients with NDMM weren’t exhausted or activated by the tumor.

These T cells looked more like they were “resting” or reacting to general body signals, not the cancer itself.

No strong evidence of T cells recognizing and responding to myeloma was found in either the bone marrow or the blood.

This is surprising because in most cancers, the immune system clearly recognizes the tumor and fight until it burns out. In NDMM, it seems the immune system may not even recognize the cancer is there.

What This Means:

• Myeloma may evade the immune system by hiding, not by overworking it.
• That could explain why some immune therapies, like checkpoint inhibitors (which aim to "wake up" exhausted T cells), haven’t worked well in myeloma.
• Instead, future treatments may need to activate or “prime” the immune system to notice and respond to the tumor in the first place.

What’s Next?

Researchers are now asking:

• Where are the tumor-fighting T cells in myeloma, and can we find and activate them?
• Can personalized immune therapies, like vaccines or T-cell–engaging drugs, wake up these silent cells?
• Does the immune system’s response to myeloma change as the disease progresses or with treatment?

This research suggests that in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the immune system isn’t exhausted—it’s just not aware there’s a battle to fight. Understanding why the immune response is so quiet could help unlock better, smarter therapies that turn it back on.

 

 

"Aberrant single-cell phenotype and clinical implications of genotypically defined polyclonal plasma cells in myeloma"

Source

Matteo Claudio Da Vià, Francesca Lazzaroni, Antonio Matera, Alessio Marella, Akihiro Maeda, Claudio De Magistris, Loredana Pettine, Antonio Giovanni Solimando, Vanessa Desantis, Giuseppe M. Peretti, Laura Mangiavini, Riccardo Giorgino, Sonia Fabris, Stefania Pioggia, Alfredo Marchetti, Marzia Barbieri, Silvia Lonati, Alessandra Cattaneo, Marta Tornese, Margherita Scopetti, Emanuele Calvi, Nayyer Latifinavid, Giancarlo Castellano, Federica Torricelli, Antonino Neri, Cathelijne Fokkema, Tom Cupedo, Marta Lionetti, Francesco Passamonti, Niccolò Bolli; Aberrant single-cell phenotype and clinical implications of genotypically defined polyclonal plasma cells in myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (26): 3124–3138. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025643 June 26, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma (MM), cancer starts in plasma cells (a type of white blood cell). But not all plasma cells in the bone marrow are cancerous. Some are still healthy, or “polyclonal plasma cells” (pPCs). This study looked at how these healthy cells change as the disease develops and why that matters.

What the Study Found:

• In early stages like MGUS (a precursor to myeloma), about 24% of plasma cells were still healthy.
• In full multiple myeloma, that number dropped to just 3%, showing how cancer crowds out normal cells.
• While both healthy and cancerous plasma cells shared some traits (like CD38 and CD138), only the cancerous cells showed high levels of cancer-driving genes.
• Healthy plasma cells in myeloma patients still looked “normal” by their genes, but they weren’t working right. They showed signs of stress and inflammation, especially in how they interacted with their environment.

Why This Matters:

• These stressed, healthy plasma cells were linked to weakened immune function (a condition called immunoparesis, where the body can’t make enough normal antibodies).
• Researchers created a genetic “healthy plasma cell” signature and found that patients with more of these cells lived longer and had slower disease progression.
• Some cancer treatments that target plasma cells (like BCMA and GPRC5D therapies) may also affect healthy plasma cells. This could explain some side effects.

Even in multiple myeloma, some healthy plasma cells survive, but they struggle to function properly. Tracking and protecting these cells may be important for keeping the immune system strong and improving long-term outcomes.

 

 

"Macrophages promote aberrant DNA repair in multiple myeloma via the CXCL5/8-CXCR2 axis"

Source

Dong M, He D, Zhang J, Yan H, Chen H, Zhang E, Feng Y, He J, Huang X, Chen G, Sun X, Cheng F, Gu H, Wang H, Xie A, Cai Z, Lab C. Macrophages promote aberrant DNA repair in multiple myeloma via the CXCL5/8-CXCR2 axis. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287312 [Early view].  June 26, 2025.  

Overview

Multiple myeloma is known for causing genetic instability, meaning the cancer cells often have DNA damage that helps them grow and spread. This study looked at a type of immune cell in the bone marrow—called macrophages—and how they might play a role in that process.

What the Researchers Found:

Macrophages in the bone marrow (called MΦs) can actually influence how myeloma cells repair their DNA.

Instead of helping cells repair DNA the “right” way, these macrophages push cancer cells to use a quicker, error-prone repair method. This method increases the chance of DNA mistakes and dangerous changes, like chromosomal translocations.

These DNA mistakes can help the cancer grow faster or resist treatment.

The researchers also found a key communication system between macrophages and myeloma cells—called the CXCL5/8-CXCR2 pathway—that helps trigger this faulty repair process.

Patient data confirmed that more macrophage activity was linked to more genetic changes in myeloma cells.

Why This Matters:

This study helps explain how the tumor environment in the bone marrow supports the cancer, not just the cancer cells themselves. By targeting the signals between macrophages and myeloma cells, doctors may be able to slow down or stop these harmful DNA changes, possibly leading to better treatments.

Immune cells meant to protect the body may accidentally help myeloma cells become more aggressive. Blocking the pathways they use to influence DNA repair could be a new way to fight multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes of Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Including Those Who are Triple-Class Exposed: A Retrospective Cohort Study in England Using National Cancer Registry Data"

Source

Tsang, C., Arnold, K., Duffield, C., Oikonomou, S., Price, T., Mehdikhanova, T., Wood, S. and Garg, M. (2025), Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes of Patients with Multiple Myeloma, Including Those Who are Triple-Class Exposed: A Retrospective Cohort Study in England Using National Cancer Registry Data. eJHaem, 6: e70064. https://doi.org/10.1002/jha2.70064  June 26, 2025. 

Overview

For people with multiple myeloma, treatment often begins with three main types of drugs: immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 antibodies. But once a patient has tried all three and the cancer comes back, they’re considered triple-class exposed (TCE), and treatment options become more limited.

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers analyzed medical records of nearly 15,000 adults in England diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2014 and 2020. They focused on treatment patterns and survival, especially in patients who became TCE.

Key Findings:

• The average age at diagnosis was 71, and most patients were white and male.
• Over half of the patients received only one line of treatment (most commonly bortezomib-based therapy).
• On average, patients lived just over 4 years (51.5 months) after diagnosis.
• For patients who became TCE, survival dropped sharply; they lived about 13 more months on average, with only 5.7 months before they needed another treatment or passed away.

Why It Matters:

This study shows how hard it is to treat multiple myeloma once the standard therapies stop working. It highlights the urgent need for new, effective treatments for patients who are TCE.

For patients with multiple myeloma, being triple-class exposed is a turning point where survival drops significantly. More research and new therapies are needed to improve outcomes after this stage.

 

 

"European Expert Panel Consensus on Outpatient Administration of Teclistamab and Talquetamab in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: Feasibility, Key Considerations, and Future Directions"

Source

T. Lund, C. Khandanpour, S. Anguille, et al., “European Expert Panel Consensus on Outpatient Administration of Teclistamab and Talquetamab in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: Feasibility, Key Considerations, and Future Directions,” European Journal of Haematology (2025): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.14444.  June 26, 2025. 

Overview

Two newer treatments for multiple myeloma—Tecvayli® (teclistamab) and Talvey® (talquetamab)—usually start in the hospital. That’s because there’s a small risk of a serious side effect called cytokine release syndrome, especially when treatment begins.

But a group of European myeloma experts recently met to discuss a big question: Can these treatments be safely given to some patients without needing to stay overnight in the hospital?

What They Found:

• Many experts already believe outpatient treatment is possible, and some centers have already started doing it.
• Patients may be eligible for outpatient treatment based on certain factors, like:
  • How well they understand and follow instructions (cognitive status)
  • Whether they have a caregiver
  • How close they live to a hospital
• While outpatient use of these drugs is still new, experts believe that within 3 years, up to 50% of patients may be able to receive them this way.

Why It Matters:

• Giving these treatments without a hospital stay could:
  • Free up hospital beds
  • Reduce the burden on healthcare systems
  • Make the experience easier and more comfortable for patients

Outpatient treatment with teclistamab and talquetamab is not yet common, but it's likely to grow quickly. Clear safety protocols and shared best practices will be key to making this option available to more patients.

 

 

"Efficacy and Safety of BCMA Nanobody CAR-T Cell Therapy in Relapsed or Refractory Plasma Cell Myeloma"

Source

Xian Zhang, Lin Wang, Junfang Yang, Xiaona Hu, Hui Wang, Lina Zhang, Xiaoge Zhou, Ying Liu, Qinglong Wang, Peihua Lu; Efficacy and Safety of BCMA Nanobody CAR-T Cell Therapy in Relapsed or Refractory Plasma Cell Myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; bloodadvances.2025016322. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016322 June 26, 2025.  

Overview

A newer version of CAR-T cell therapy, called S103 CAR-T, is showing strong results in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, even in very high-risk cases.

What’s New About This Treatment?

Traditional CAR-T therapies use a part called scFv to recognize cancer cells. This new treatment uses nanobodies instead. Nanobodies are smaller, more stable, and can attach to cancer cells with greater precision. The S103 CAR-T therapy targets BCMA, a protein found on myeloma cells, using two nanobody units (called dVHHs) for better targeting.

Study Highlights:

• 27 patients were treated, including people with tough-to-treat forms like plasma cell leukemia, anaplastic myeloma, and high-risk genetic mutations.
• After 1 month, the overall response rate was 96%.
• By 3 months, all patients (100%) responded to the treatment, with over 80% showing a very strong response (CR or VGPR).
• On average, patients stayed in remission for about 11 months.
• One year after treatment, about 61% were still alive, and 57% had not had disease progression.

Why It Matters:

This study shows that nanobody-based BCMA CAR-T therapy can work well even in patients with aggressive or high-risk myeloma. The treatment appears to be effective and manageable in terms of side effects.

This promising new approach could offer a powerful option for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, especially those with limited treatment choices.

 

 

"Bicistronic CAR-T Cell against BCMA and CD229 effectively controls myeloma even when BCMA expression is limited"

Source

Luis Gerardo Rodríguez-Lobato, Oriol Cardus, Joan Mañé Pujol, Anthony M. Battram, Sergi Vaqué-Salsench, Judith Carpio, Lorena Pérez-Amill, Hugo Calderón, Beatriz Martin-Antonio, Aina Oliver-Caldés, Ester Lozano, David F. Moreno, Valentin Ortiz-Maldonado, Maria Queralt Salas, Anna de Daniel, Natalia Tovar, M. Teresa Cibeira, Laura Rosinol, Joan Bladé, Manel Juan, Álvaro Urbano-Ispizua, Pablo Engel, Carlos Fernández de Larrea; Bicistronic CAR-T Cell against BCMA and CD229 effectively controls myeloma even when BCMA expression is limited. Cancer Immunol Res 2025; https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-24-1313 June 27, 2025. 

Overview

CAR-T cell therapy that targets BCMA has changed how doctors treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Many patients respond well at first, but most eventually relapse. A major reason is that the BCMA protein disappears or becomes too weak on the surface of myeloma cells, making the therapy less effective.

To help solve this, researchers are exploring new targets. One promising target is CD229. In this study, scientists created a new CAR-T therapy that attacks CD229. It worked well in lab tests and in mice, even when BCMA was weak or missing.

They also built a dual-action CAR-T cell that targets both CD229 and BCMA. This version was effective in a variety of models, including those where BCMA was low, missing, or mixed.

Importantly, the treatment didn’t appear to harm healthy T-cells, though it did remove some inactive ones. In a few cases, myeloma cells adapted by losing CD229, showing how tumors can evolve under pressure.

Bottom line: This research suggests that CD229, alone or combined with BCMA, could be a powerful new target for CAR-T therapy, especially when BCMA isn’t enough

 

 

"Venetoclax or placebo in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (BELLINI): final overall survival results from a randomised, phase 3 study"

Source

Kumar, Shaji K et al. Venetoclax or placebo in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (BELLINI): final overall survival results from a randomised, phase 3 study. The Lancet Haematology, Volume 0, Issue 0  June 27, 2025. 

Overview

The phase 3 BELLINI study looked at whether adding venetoclax to Velcade® (bortezomib) and dexamethasone could help people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

What They Found:

Venetoclax helped slow down disease progression. Patients lived longer without their cancer getting worse—about 23.4 months with venetoclax vs. 11.4 months with placebo. But it didn’t improve overall survival. In fact, more patients died early in the venetoclax group, especially due to infections like pneumonia.

Side Effects:

• Serious side effects, such as low white blood cell counts and low platelet counts, were more common with venetoclax.
• Four patients in the venetoclax group died from treatment-related causes. No deaths were reported in the placebo group.

While venetoclax slowed the cancer for many patients, it also increased the risk of serious side effects and early death. Because of this, doctors do not recommend venetoclax for most people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

 

 

"LncRNA H19-Encoded Micropeptide altH19 Promotes DNA Replication and Mitosis in Myeloma Cells by Enhancing the Phosphorylation of CDK2 at Threonine 160"

Source

Y. Zhang, W. Li, X. Cao, et al., “LncRNA H19-Encoded Micropeptide altH19 Promotes DNA Replication and Mitosis in Myeloma Cells by Enhancing the Phosphorylation of CDK2 at Threonine 160,” Cell Proliferation (2025): e70089, https://doi.org/10.1111/cpr.70089.  June 27, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have discovered a small protein, called altH19, that may play a major role in how multiple myeloma develops and spreads. This protein is made by a type of genetic material called lncRNA H19, which is found in high levels in many people with multiple myeloma.

What Does altH19 Do?

• Speeds up cancer cell growth: altH19 helps myeloma cells grow and form colonies more quickly.
• Disrupts normal cell division: It causes abnormal cell division (called multipolar mitosis), which can lead to more aggressive tumor growth.
• Boosts DNA replication: altH19 makes cells copy their DNA faster and move through the cell cycle more quickly.

How It Works:

altH19 affects a key protein called CDK2, which helps control cell growth. By increasing the activity of CDK2 and its partner proteins, altH19 drives the cancer to grow faster. Even when a CDK2-blocking drug (Seliciclib) was used, altH19 was able to keep CDK2 active.

Why It Matters:

This study shows that altH19 could be a new target for treatment. Blocking altH19 might help slow down or stop multiple myeloma, especially in cases where current treatments aren't effective.

A tiny protein called altH19 may have a big impact on how multiple myeloma spreads—and targeting it could open the door to new treatment options

 

 

"Managing IEC-associated enterocolitis following CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma"

Source

Banerjee, R., Hosoya, H., Mikkilineni, L. et al. Managing IEC-associated enterocolitis following CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J. 15, 112 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01320-x. June 30, 2025. 

Overview

Some patients with multiple myeloma who receive CAR-T cell therapy develop a condition called IEC-associated enterocolitis. This condition causes non-bloody diarrhea and inflammation in the intestines. It can show up weeks to months after treatment.

What Do We Know About This Condition?

• It’s uncommon, but doctors have now seen several dozen cases.
• Most patients had been treated with cilta-cel (a type of CAR-T therapy).
• When doctors look at tissue samples under a microscope, it often resembles graft-versus-host disease, a condition seen after bone marrow transplants.

What Causes It?

• Doctors aren’t fully sure yet. It might be:
• An immune overreaction (where the body attacks its own tissues), or
• A sign of abnormal T-cell growth, which could be similar to cancer in rare cases.
• More testing, such as T-cell clonality tests and CAR-T integration studies, can help doctors determine the cause, but these studies are not available in most hospitals today.

How Is It Treated?

• Many patients get better with corticosteroids (like prednisone).
• If steroids don’t work, biologic drugs like infliximab or vedolizumab are often effective and are safer for preserving CAR-T function.
• Stronger immune-suppressing drugs like cyclosporine are riskier and usually saved for severe or resistant cases.

IEC-associated enterocolitis is a complex condition that may happen after CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma. It can range from mild to severe. Many patients recover with careful treatment, and new research is helping doctors better understand and manage it. A personalized, step-by-step approach is best.

 

 

"GLP-1 RA Use and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance"

Source

Chi K, Song J, Desphande S, et al. GLP-1 RA Use and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2517541. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.17541  June 30, 2025.  

Overview

A new study looked at people who have MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and type 2 diabetes—but no history of heart disease—to see if a type of diabetes medication called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) could help prevent future heart, brain, or kidney problems.

What the Study Found:

• People who used GLP-1 RAs had fewer serious heart and blood vessel events (like heart failure, stroke, or heart attacks).
• They were also less likely to die from any cause during the study period.
• GLP-1 RA users had lower rates of new or worsening heart failure.
• They were also less likely to develop serious kidney problems.
• These results were based on data from nearly 5,000 patients, tracked over a 3.2-year period on average.

Why This Matters:

MGUS is already linked to a higher risk of heart disease. This study suggests that GLP-1 RAs might help protect the heart and kidneys in people who have both MGUS and diabetes, even if they haven’t had heart problems before.

GLP-1 RAs may offer heart and kidney protection in people with MGUS and type 2 diabetes. These early results are promising, but more research is needed to confirm them.