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 May 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 May 2025)

"Nephrotoxicity of CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Chen, Z., Chen, Y., Liu, J. et al. Nephrotoxicity of CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Int Urol Nephrol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-025-04503-4  May 1, 2025

Overview

CAR-T cell therapy is a powerful treatment for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This study looked at whether it can cause kidney problems, which hasn't been studied much before.

Out of 111 patients, 13 (about 12%) had some level of acute kidney injury (AKI) within a month of treatment. Most cases were mild, and almost all (11 out of 13) got better within a month. A high number of cancer cells before treatment (called tumor burden) made AKI more likely.

Doctors found that checking certain lab values, like sodium, lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid, and immune markers like IL-5 and IL-10, can help predict who might get AKI.

The kidney problems didn’t affect how well the treatment worked or cause more serious side effects.

AKI after CAR-T therapy is uncommon, usually mild, and goes away on its own. It doesn't change how well the treatment works.

 

 

"Immunosubstitution of patients with refractory multiple myeloma treated with Teclistamab, a bispecific antibody"

Source

BROS Ariane, HAREL Stéphanie, ARNULF Bertrand, MADELAINE Isabelle, DEVILLE Laure, Immunosubstitution of patients with refractory multiple myeloma treated with Teclistamab, a bispecific antibody, Annales Pharmaceutiques Françaises, 2025, ISSN 0003-4509, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2025.04.008. May 1, 2025.  

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) is a newer treatment for multiple myeloma, used when the disease comes back or doesn’t respond to other therapies. It helps the immune system fight cancer, but it can also lower important antibodies in the blood (a condition called hypogammaglobulinemia), which makes patients more likely to get infections.

This study looked at 35 patients who received teclistamab. About two-thirds (24 patients) were given immunoglobulin replacement (HN-Ig) to help their immune systems, usually starting around 1 month after treatment began. Still, 13 of those patients got at least one infection—most often pneumonia, bronchitis, or urinary tract infections.

Doctors usually gave the replacement antibodies through monthly IV infusions. But only half of the patients given HN-Ig met official criteria for using it, because this treatment is in short supply and meant to be prioritized.

Over time, doctors started giving the antibody replacement earlier—sometimes right when teclistamab was started—because infections were happening quickly.

Patients on teclistamab are at high risk for infections due to low antibody levels. Starting immunoglobulin replacement early can help, but it also increases demand for a medicine that's already hard to get.

 

 

"Minimal residual disease negative: A novel endpoint for accelerated approval; What providers should know"

Source

Sruthi Ranganathan, Vinay Prasad, Minimal residual disease negative: A novel endpoint for accelerated approval; What providers should know, Journal of Cancer Policy, 2025, 100588, ISSN 2213-5383, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpo.2025.100588. May 1, 2025. 

Overview

On April 12, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 12-0 to support using minimal residual disease (MRD) as a new way to speed up drug approvals for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

MRD means checking the bone marrow after treatment to see if any cancer cells can still be found—specifically, using very sensitive tests to see if there are fewer than 1 cancer cell in 100,000. If no cancer is found at that level, it’s called MRD negativity.

Studies show that patients who reach MRD negativity usually do better and live longer without their cancer coming back. Right now, the FDA uses a longer timeline (called progression-free survival) to approve new treatments. Using MRD could get new drugs to patients faster.

But there are still questions. For example, should treatment be changed based on MRD results? Or do we need more proof that it’s safe and effective?

MRD testing could help get promising myeloma treatments approved sooner, but doctors and patients will need to decide how much to rely on it.

 

 

"CAR-T cell therapy for patients with extramedullary multiple myeloma: Opportunities and challenges"

Source

SWang Y, Hu X, Du J, Liu B. CAR-T cell therapy for patients with extramedullary multiple myeloma: Opportunities and challenges. Eur J Cancer. 2025 Mar 21;220:115374. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115374. Epub ahead of print. May 2, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma usually stays in the bone marrow, but in some cases, cancer cells spread outside it. This is called extramedullary disease (EMD), and it’s harder to treat. Even though treatments for myeloma—like proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, antibodies, and stem cell transplants—have improved survival, people with EMD still have worse outcomes.

Right now, there’s no treatment made specifically for EMD. But CAR-T cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy, is showing promise. It’s already helped many people with multiple myeloma, and researchers think it could help EMD patients too.

This review looks at what we know so far about how EMD works, why it’s hard to treat, and how CAR-T therapy might change that in the future.

EMD is a tough form of myeloma with limited treatment options, but CAR-T therapy could be a new path forward.

 

 

"Daratumumab for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma - Are we there yet?"

Source

Mohan Lal B, Al Hadidi S. Daratumumab for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma - Are we there yet? Eur J Cancer. 2025 Mar 27; 220:115391. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115391. Epub ahead of print. May 2, 2025. 

Overview

"Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is not classified as a disease but represents a statistical evaluation of the likelihood of developing symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) over a specific period."

A study in Iceland found that about 0.5% of people over 40 have SMM, with men being more affected than women. For people with SMM, the risk of it turning into active multiple myeloma is:

• About 10% per year for the first 5 years
• 3% per year from years 6 to 10
• 1% per year after that

Interestingly, 1 in 5 people with SMM never develop active myeloma, even after 20 years.

Right now, doctors usually choose to monitor SMM closely instead of starting treatment right away, though this is still being debated.

So, SMM isn’t cancer yet, but patients with SMM must be regularly monitored. Most people don’t get treated unless it turns into active multiple myeloma.

 

 

"CD56 expression modulates NAD+ metabolic landscape and predicts sensitivity to anti-CD38 therapies in multiple myeloma"

Source

Giorgetti, G., Maroto-Martin, E., Soncini, D. et al. CD56 expression modulates NAD+ metabolic landscape and predicts sensitivity to anti-CD38 therapies in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J. 15, 83 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01284-y May 2, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, drugs like Darzalex® (daratumumab, or Dara) and Sarclisa® (isatuximab, or Isa)—both targeting a protein called CD38—have improved treatment. But some patients eventually stop responding. A new study suggests that the amount of another protein, CD56, on bone marrow plasma cells could help predict how well these treatments work.

Researchers found that:

• Higher CD56 levels are linked to better results with Dara, including stronger responses and longer time before the disease gets worse.
• Lower CD56 levels are often seen in more aggressive forms of myeloma, like extramedullary disease (when cancer spreads outside the bone marrow).
• CD56 may also affect how cancer cells use energy, especially by changing levels of NAD+, a key molecule for cell survival.

Because of this, patients with high CD56 might benefit from:

• Drugs that lower NAD+, which may hit their cancer cells harder.
• Isa, which blocks CD38 enzyme activity more strongly than Dara and helps preserve NAD+ in healthy cells.

The researchers also found that:

• CD56 and CD38 levels are connected—higher CD56 often means higher CD38, which could make anti-CD38 drugs more effective.
• In small patient groups, Isa seemed to work better than Dara for those with high CD56 levels.

Testing for CD56 levels could help doctors pick the right treatment, especially when using CD38-targeting drugs or NAD+-related therapies. This could lead to more personalized care for multiple myeloma patients.

 

 

"Exploring secondary extramedullary myeloma disease: a five-predictor scoring system with spotlight on double-hit cytogenetic"

Source

Tao, Y., Jin, SW., Wang, Z. et al. Exploring secondary extramedullary myeloma disease: a five-predictor scoring system with spotlight on double-hit cytogenetics. BMC Med 23, 257 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04086-y  May 2, 2025.  

Overview

A recent study examined secondary extramedullary disease (sEMD) in multiple myeloma patients—cases where cancer spreads outside the bone marrow after initial treatment. Among 618 newly diagnosed patients, 77 (about 12.5%) developed sEMD. The median overall survival after sEMD diagnosis was 11 months, with early relapses (within 22 months of initial diagnosis) linked to poorer outcomes (median survival of 5 months) compared to later relapses (27 months).

Researchers identified five factors that increase the risk of developing sEMD:

1. Double-hit (DH) cytogenetics—specific high-risk genetic changes
2. Having three or more bone lesions
3. IgD subtype of myeloma
4. Not undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation
5. Presence of extraosseous extramedullary disease (EM-E)

Each factor contributes to a scoring system that stratifies patients into low (0–2 points) and high (3–5 points) risk categories. High-risk patients had a significantly higher 3-year sEMD rate (52.8%) compared to low-risk patients (6.6%).

Further analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing of DH myeloma samples revealed increased activity in the MAPK pathway and signs of exhaustion in CD8+ memory and NK effector cells. These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets, such as EZH2, for treating sEMD.

This study provides a predictive model to identify multiple myeloma patients at higher risk for sEMD, aiming to inform treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

 

 

"Outcomes in Frail Patients Receiving BCMA-directed Bispecific Antibodies for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Benjamin O Adegbite, Carlyn Rose Tan, Tala Shekarkhand, Ross S Firestone, Eric Matthew Jurgens, Kevin C. 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 L Hultcrantz, Issam S. Hamadeh, Andriy Derkach, David Nemirovsky, Sergio A. Giralt, Sham Mailankody, Saad Z Usmani, Hamza Hashmi; Outcomes in Frail Patients Receiving BCMA-directed Bispecific Antibodies for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; bloodadvances.2025015973. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015973 May 2, 2025. 

Overview

Many people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma are older, have other health problems, or are physically weak (called “frail”). These patients are often left out of clinical trials, so it hasn’t been clear if newer treatments like bispecific antibodies (BsAb) work well for them.

This study looked at 102 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who received BCMA-targeting BsAb. About 40% of them were considered frail based on age, physical condition, and other illnesses.

Key findings:

• Frail patients responded just as well to treatment as non-frail patients.
• Side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and ICANS (a type of brain-related side effect) were about the same in both groups.
• The overall response rate (ORR) was slightly better in frail patients (80%) than in non-frail patients (73%).
• Survival and disease control were also similar, even though the frail group had more people over age 70 and worse overall health.

Bispecific antibodies are safe and effective, even for elderly and frail patients with multiple myeloma. This treatment option shouldn’t be ruled out just because of a patient’s age or health status.

 

 

"Extramedullary disease but not paraskeletal disease portends inferior outcomes after CAR T cell therapy in multiple myeloma"

Source

Pan, D., Mouhieddine, T.H., Sheng, T. et al. Extramedullary disease but not paraskeletal disease portends inferior outcomes after CAR T cell therapy in multiple myeloma. Bone Marrow Transplant (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02593-3 May 3, 2025 

Overview

CAR T cell therapy works well for many people with multiple myeloma, but patients with plasmacytomas—especially extramedullary disease (EMD)—may not do as well.

In this study of 134 people with relapsed or refractory myeloma:

• Those with EMD had worse outcomes than patients whose cancer was only in the bone marrow.
• Progression-free survival (how long before the cancer worsened) was just 9 months for EMD patients, compared to 24 months for others.
• Overall survival (how long people lived) was also shorter for EMD patients.

In contrast, patients with paraskeletal disease (PSD)—plasmacytomas next to bone—did not have worse outcomes.

The amount of EMD mattered too:

• Patients with larger tumors outside the bone marrow were less likely to respond to CAR T therapy.
• No complete responses were seen in patients with tumor sizes over 50 cm².
• Also, half of all relapses after CAR T therapy involved EMD.

CAR T therapy is less effective in multiple myeloma patients with EMD, especially those with large tumors. PSD does not seem to affect treatment success the same way.

 

 

"Automated vertebrae identification and segmentation with structural uncertainty analysis in longitudinal CT scans of patients with multiple myeloma"

Source

Djennifer K. Madzia-Madzou, Margot Jak, Bart de Keizer, Jorrit-Jan Verlaan, Monique C. Minnema, Kenneth Gilhuijs, Automated vertebrae identification and segmentation with structural uncertainty analysis in longitudinal CT scans of patients with multiple myeloma, European Journal of Radiology, 2025, 112160, ISSN 0720-048X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112160. May 3, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, CT scans are often used to track changes in the spine over time. This study focused on improving how a computer program (AI) identifies and labels the vertebrae in those scans using a deep learning tool.

Researchers used scans from 474 patients and tested a new method that adds a “safety check” to the AI system. This safety check looks for mistakes or uncertain areas and either fixes them automatically or flags them for a person to review.

Key results:

• The original AI correctly identified vertebrae in about 96% of cases.
• The new system improved that to nearly 99%, with fewer errors and better consistency over time.
• Only a small number of scans (3.6%) needed a human to look at them.
• The tool worked equally well across different ages and between men and women.

This improved AI system makes spine scan analysis faster, more accurate, and more reliable for tracking multiple myeloma, especially over time. It also reduces the work needed from doctors.

 

 

"Cost-Effectiveness of Preemptive Plerixafor Versus Rescue Plerixafor for Mobilization and Collection of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Patients With Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma"

Source

Passos, R.M.A., Marcolino, M.A.Z., Passos, J.A., Calsavara, V.F., de Lourdes Martins Perobelli, L., Campolina, A.G. and de Almeida-Neto, C. (2025), Cost-Effectiveness of Preemptive Plerixafor Versus Rescue Plerixafor for Mobilization and Collection of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Patients With Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma. J Clin Apher, 40: e70026. https://doi.org/10.1002/jca.70026  May 3, 2025. 

Overview

Before a stem cell transplant, patients with multiple myeloma need to collect enough stem cells from their blood. A drug called plerixafor, combined with G-CSF, helps move stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood so they can be collected. But plerixafor is expensive, and there’s debate on the best way to use it.

This study looked at two ways of using plerixafor in Brazil’s public health system:

• Preemptive: giving it early to prevent problems.
• Rescue: using it only if stem cell collection isn’t going well.

Researchers studied 285 patients and found that the preemptive approach worked better. The approach:

• Lowered the chance of stem cell collection failure
• Reduced the need to repeat the process
• Helped more patients move on to transplant
• Shortened the wait time between starting collection and getting the transplant

Even though preemptive plerixafor cost more up front (about $1,532 more per patient), it was still cost-effective because it led to better outcomes for the money spent.

Using plerixafor early is more effective and worth the cost, helping more multiple myeloma patients get to transplant faster and with fewer setbacks.

 

 

"Single-cell RNA Sequencing Identifies Prognostic Biomarkers in Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Yang M, Yu F, Qin H. Single-cell RNA Sequencing Identifies Prognostic Biomarkers in Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma. Curr Med Chem. 2025 May 5. doi: 10.2174/0109298673352012250414100227. Epub ahead of print.

Overview

Multiple myeloma may become more aggressive when it spreads outside the bone marrow (called extramedullary progression). This study looked at gene activity in myeloma cells to find better ways to predict which patients might have worse outcomes.

Researchers used public data and advanced computer tools to:

• Identify 126 important genes linked to how the disease spreads.
• Narrow it down to 7 key genes to build a risk score that predicts patient outcomes.
• Show that patients with higher risk scores had poorer survival.

They also created a prediction tool that combines the gene score with lab results like age, albumin, LDH, and beta-2 microglobulin to estimate the chances of survival at 1, 3, and 5 years.

The study found major differences between high-risk and low-risk patients in:

• Immune cells and immune-related genes
• How cells communicate with each other
• How patients might respond to certain cancer drugs

A type of immune cell called CD4+ T cells showed the most activity in high-risk patients and may play a big role in disease progression.

This research offers a new gene-based risk score to help doctors predict how aggressive multiple myeloma might become, especially when it spreads outside the bone marrow. It also helps guide personalized treatment for better care.

 

 

"Evolution of treatment practices and outcomes in multiple myeloma during 2013–2022: a Finnish real-world registry study"

Source

Partanen, A., Waltari, M., Vikkula, J., Mattila, R., Närhi, K., Eeva, J., & Putkonen, M. (2025). Evolution of treatment practices and outcomes in multiple myeloma during 2013–2022: a Finnish real world registry study. Acta Oncologica, 64, 598–606. https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2025.42647 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

This study from Finland looked at how multiple myeloma treatment and survival have changed over the last decade using real-world patient data.

Key points:

• The study included 1,733 patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2022.
• Patients were split into two groups: those who had a stem cell transplant (SCT) and those who didn’t.
• The average age at diagnosis was 71 years.
• Use of newer treatments, especially lenalidomide, increased over time—especially in patients who had SCT.

Results:

• In the SCT group, 4-year survival rates improved a lot—from about 82% to 93% in more recent years.
• In the non-SCT group (older or frailer patients), survival only increased a little and the change was not significant.
• Patients with high-risk genetics or more advanced disease still had shorter survival overall.

New treatments have helped SCT patients live longer, but there’s still a need for better treatment options for older and frail patients who can’t get a stem cell transplant.

 

 

"Prevalence of CCR7-Positive CD8 T Cells as a Prognostic Factor in B-Cell Maturation Antigen -Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy"

Source

Marumo, Y., Ri, M., Ebina, T., Nakamura, T., Oshima, Y., Nakashima, T., Kinoshita, S., Suzuki, T., Narita, T., Sanda, T., Komatsu, H. and Iida, S. (2025), Prevalence of CCR7-Positive CD8 T Cells as a Prognostic Factor in B-Cell Maturation Antigen -Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy. eJHaem, 6: e70040. https://doi.org/10.1002/jha2.70040 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

CAR-T cell therapy is a powerful treatment for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. But for some patients, the cancer still returns after getting a type of CAR-T therapy called Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel, or ide-cel), which targets a protein called BCMA.

This study looked at two groups of patients based on how long they stayed in remission—either less than 180 days or more. The group with shorter remission times were usually older, had less time between diagnosis and treatment, and had more aggressive treatments before CAR-T therapy. They also had fewer immune-boosting treatments right before CAR-T therapy.

The researchers found that people who did better had more of a certain type of T cell (a kind of immune cell) in their blood at the start. These cells, called CCR7-positive CD8 T cells, are better at fighting cancer for longer.

In the future, checking for these special T cells could help doctors predict which patients will respond best to CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Attitudes and perspectives of oncologists about measurable residual disease testing in multiple myeloma: initiative for standardizing guidelines"

Source

Rehman, A.U., Ayoobkhan, F.S., Shahzad, M. et al. Attitudes and perspectives of oncologists about measurable residual disease testing in multiple myeloma: initiative for standardizing guidelines. Bone Marrow Transplant (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02604-3 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

Doctors are starting to use measurable residual disease (MRD) testing more in multiple myeloma to help predict how patients will do and guide treatment choices. But it’s not being used regularly in all clinics yet.

This study asked 115 cancer doctors from around the world how they use MRD testing and what’s getting in the way. The biggest differences in how often MRD is used came down to the doctor’s specialty—not where they work or how long they’ve been practicing. Doctors who focus more on plasma cell cancers were more likely to use MRD testing regularly.

Most doctors preferred using a method called flow cytometry to do the test, but they didn’t always agree on how much MRD is considered “negative.” While many doctors use MRD results to help make treatment decisions, U.S. doctors were more likely to use the results to talk things over with their patients.

The main problems with using MRD testing more often were lack of access to the test, no clear rules on how to use it, and in many countries, cost.

The study shows we need clear guidelines, better access to testing, and more education for doctors. That way, MRD testing can become a normal part of care and help more patients with multiple myeloma get the best treatment.

 

 

"Optimizing Outcomes in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Personalized Approaches and Adverse Event Management"

Source

Katodritou, E., Terpos, E., Lentzsch, S. and Kumar, S. (2025), Optimizing Outcomes in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Personalized Approaches and Adverse Event Management. Am J Hematol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27646 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

Treatments for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have come a long way, offering new hope for patients. But these powerful drugs often come with serious side effects that doctors need to watch closely. This article looks at the risks of some of the newer therapies and how to manage them to keep patients safe.

Kyprolis® (carfilzomib)

• What it does: Helps control RRMM but can affect the heart and lungs.
• Key risks: Shortness of breath, high blood pressure, heart failure.
• What helps: Start at low doses, avoid too much fluid in patients with heart issues, and do heart tests before and during treatment.

Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin)*

• What it does: Targets a protein on myeloma cells (BCMA).
• Key risks: Eye problems, including blurry vision and damage to the cornea (keratopathy).
• What helps: Regular eye exams, adjusting doses, and possibly eye surgery before treatment to reduce risks.

*Not approved in the U.S. market

Xpovio® (selinexor)

• What it does: Blocks cancer cell growth by affecting proteins inside the cell.
• Key risks: Severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and low white blood cell counts.
• What helps: Strong anti-nausea medications, patient education, regular weight checks, and staying hydrated.

CAR T-Cell Therapy

• What these drugs do: They use the patient’s own immune cells to fight myeloma.
• Key risks: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which causes fever and low blood pressure, and brain-related side effects like confusion or seizures.
• What helps: Early treatment with drugs like tocilizumab and steroids, and close monitoring, sometimes in an ICU.

Bispecific Antibodies (BsAbs)

• What these drugs do: They bringT cells directly to cancer cells to destroy them.
• Key risks: CRS, infections, and low immune levels.
• What helps: Giving preventive meds like tocilizumab, IV immunoglobulin (IVIG), and infection screening before starting treatment.

Talvey® (talquetamab)

• What it does: A newer BsAb that targets MM in a unique way.
• Key risks: Taste loss, mouth sores, weight loss, and skin issues.
• What helps: Dose adjustments, careful monitoring, and strong patient education.

Infections

• Many of these treatments lower the body’s defenses. This increases the risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
• What helps: Proactive steps like vaccines, antiviral medications, and regular check-ups are important. Patients should also avoid live vaccines and make sure close contacts are vaccinated.

Conclusions of This Study

These new treatments are improving survival in RRMM, but they bring complex side effects. Doctors need to work together to manage risks, often with heart, eye, and infection specialists. Early treatment, patient education, and personalized care are key to making these therapies safer and more effective.

 

 

"Bioinformatics analysis of intrinsic drivers of immune dysregulation in multiple myeloma to elucidate immune phenotypes and discover prognostic gene signatures"

Source

Fang, CF., Li, Y., Yang, C. et al. Bioinformatics analysis of intrinsic drivers of immune dysregulation in multiple myeloma to elucidate immune phenotypes and discover prognostic gene signatures. Sci Rep 15, 15662 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00074-7  May 5, 2025.  

Overview

In multiple myeloma, the immune system inside the bone marrow (the tumor microenvironment) plays a big role in how the disease grows. But scientists still don’t fully understand how the cancer itself affects the immune system, and current immune-based treatments don’t always work well.

In this study, researchers looked at gene data from 859 patients and used computer tools to study how immune and support cells interact in the bone marrow. They found two major immune subtypes:

• Subtype 1: Had weak immune activity, with too many Th2 cells and fat-related cells, and lower levels of helpful immune signals. Patients in this group had worse survival rates.
• Subtype 2: Had a more active immune system, with strong CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. These patients lived longer.

The team also discovered a 10-gene signature that helps predict how well a patient might do. This gene list could help doctors decide which treatments are more likely to work for each patient.

This research could lead to better, more personalized treatment plans by combining gene testing with tools like flow cytometry to target the immune system more effectively.

 

 

"Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves"

Source

Schweighofer, J., Agis, H., Krauth, M. et al. Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves. Ophthalmol Ther (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01147-6 May 6, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at how the drug Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) affects the eyes of people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma.

What They Did:

Eight patients took belantamab mafodotin and had detailed eye exams before and during treatment. These exams included vision tests, eye photos, thickness scans of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye), and nerve imaging.

What They Found:

• Most patients lost only one line of vision (for example, from 20/25 to 20/32).
• Eye nerves were damaged. There was a big drop in the number and length of nerve fibers in the cornea.
• Corneas became thicker and showed an uneven pattern.
• All patients developed tiny cysts and other surface problems on the cornea.

What It Means:

Belantamab mafodotin causes clear changes to the surface and nerves of the eye, likely due to nerve damage from the drug. These effects can impact vision and eye health, so more research is needed to fully understand and manage them. Regular eye monitoring is important for patients receiving this treatment.

 

 

"The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma"

Source

Dingli, S., Rothweiler, P., Binder, M. et al. The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J. 15, 90 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01280-2  May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Cancer cells, including those in multiple myeloma, use a lot of sugar (glucose) to grow. This is called the Warburg effect, and it's why doctors can use special scans (PET scans) to see how active the cancer is by tracking sugar use.

In this study, researchers looked at how much glucose the brain and liver were using in patients with multiple myeloma. They created a simple measurement called the brain-to-liver ratio (B2LR). Here's what they found:

Low B2LR means the cancer is using more glucose, leaving less for the brain.

A low B2LR is linked to worse outcomes, more aggressive disease outside the bone marrow (extramedullary disease), and shorter responses to CAR-T therapy.

Patients with higher B2LR had better survival and longer-lasting treatment responses.

This simple test may help doctors predict how serious the disease is and how well a patient might respond to treatment.

 

 

"Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Wang, L., Yang, W., Wang, Y. et al. Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 25, 836 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13925-3 May 7, 2025. 

Overview

This real-world study from China looked at how well Darzalex® (daratumumab), a common treatment for multiple myeloma, works and how safe it is outside of clinical trials.

What They Did:

Researchers followed 212 patients with either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who were treated with daratumumab, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Most patients had received three or fewer previous treatments.

What They Found:

• About 72% of patients had at least a partial response to treatment.
• Over 50% had a very good partial response or better.
• Patients who got daratumumab with other drugs did better than those who took daratumumab alone.
• At 6 months, 84% of patients hadn’t seen their disease get worse; at 12 months, that number was still 75%.
• Serious side effects were low, with pneumonia being the most common (about 5%).
• The most common side effects were low white blood cells, low neutrophils, and low platelets.

Why It Matters:

This study shows that daratumumab works well and is generally safe for people with multiple myeloma in real-life settings, not just in clinical trials. It also supports using daratumumab-based combinations as a standard treatment for patients in China. The study is ongoing, so more data will come over time.

 

 

"Teclistamab Dosing in Responders: Modeling and Simulation Results from the MajesTEC-1 Study in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Guo, Y., Niu, J., Cardé, N.A.Q. et al. Teclistamab Dosing in Responders: Modeling and Simulation Results from the MajesTEC-1 Study in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Targ Oncol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-025-01149-1 May 7, 2025.  

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) is a bispecific antibody treatment approved for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). It targets BCMA on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells to help the immune system fight the cancer.

Current Dosing:

Patients usually start with 1.5 mg/kg once a week (QW). If they respond well—meaning they have a complete response (CR) for 6 months or more—they may switch to 1.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W).

What This Study Looked At:

• Researchers used computer models to see how different dosing schedules affect:
• How much drug is in the body (pharmacokinetics)
• How well it works (pharmacodynamics)
• How the drug interacts with cancer and immune cells
• They also looked at a possible new schedule: 3 mg/kg once every 4 weeks (Q4W).

What They Found:

• Patients switching to Q2W dosing had slightly lower drug levels, but still high enough for the treatment to work well.
• There was no drop in effectiveness—patients continued to have similar tumor shrinkage and treatment response.
• The Q4W dosing (3 mg/kg) is expected to work just as well and is being tested in new clinical trials.

Why It Matters:

This research supports the option to reduce how often teclistamab is given—which can make treatment easier for patients—without losing effectiveness. It also opens the door for a once-a-month dose in the future.

 

 

"The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma"

Source

Dingli, S., Rothweiler, P., Binder, M. et al. The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J. 15, 90 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01280-2  May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Cancer cells, including those in multiple myeloma, use a lot of sugar (glucose) to grow. This is called the Warburg effect, and it's why doctors can use special scans (PET scans) to see how active the cancer is by tracking sugar use.

In this study, researchers looked at how much glucose the brain and liver were using in patients with multiple myeloma. They created a simple measurement called the brain-to-liver ratio (B2LR). Here's what they found:

Low B2LR means the cancer is using more glucose, leaving less for the brain.

A low B2LR is linked to worse outcomes, more aggressive disease outside the bone marrow (extramedullary disease), and shorter responses to CAR-T therapy.

Patients with higher B2LR had better survival and longer-lasting treatment responses.

This simple test may help doctors predict how serious the disease is and how well a patient might respond to treatment.

 

 

"Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Wang, L., Yang, W., Wang, Y. et al. Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 25, 836 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13925-3 May 7, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at how the multiple myeloma drug Darzalex® (daratumumab) is used and how well it works in real-world settings in China. It included 212 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory myeloma who had received three or fewer previous treatments.

Patients got daratumumab either alone or in combination with other drugs like dexamethasone, proteasome inhibitors, or immunomodulators. The results showed that:

• About 72% of patients had at least a partial response to treatment.
• Over 50% had a very good partial response or better.
• After one year, 75% of patients were still progression-free.

Side effects were generally manageable, with pneumonia, low white blood cells, and low platelets being the most common. Daratumumab-based treatments are effective and safe for multiple myeloma patients in China, supporting its use as a standard therapy in everyday clinical practice.

 

 

"Teclistamab Dosing in Responders: Modeling and Simulation Results from the MajesTEC-1 Study in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Guo, Y., Niu, J., Cardé, N.A.Q. et al. Teclistamab Dosing in Responders: Modeling and Simulation Results from the MajesTEC-1 Study in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Targ Oncol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-025-01149-1 May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) is a bispecific antibody approved for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). It’s normally given once a week (1.5 mg/kg), but patients who stay in complete response (CR) for 6 months or more can switch to every two weeks (Q2W) dosing.

This study looked at how the body processes the drug (pharmacokinetics), how it works in the body (pharmacodynamics), and whether less frequent dosing still works well. It also modeled a possible once-a-month dose (3 mg/kg every four weeks, or Q4W).

Key findings:

• Blood levels of teclistamab were a little lower with Q2W dosing than weekly, but still stayed above the amount needed for it to work.
• Patients who switched to Q2W dosing did not see worse outcomes—tumor reduction and treatment response stayed strong.
• Computer models also suggest that a 3 mg/kg monthly dose (Q4W) may work just as well as the Q2W option.
• This once-a-month option will be tested further in larger clinical trials.

Patients doing well on weekly teclistamab can safely switch to every-two-week dosing without losing treatment benefits, and a once-a-month option may soon be available too.

 

 

"T-lymphocytes suppression by CD14+ monocytes with high expression of ULK2 in patients with multiple myeloma"

Source

Peng, F., Liu, Z., Jiang, F. et al. T-lymphocytes suppression by CD14+ monocytes with high expression of ULK2 in patients with multiple myeloma. J Transl Med 23, 511 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06516-0 May 7, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at a specific type of immune cell in the bone marrow called CD14+ monocytes, which were found to weaken T cells, the body’s main cancer-fighting cells.

What they found:

• In patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, CD14+ monocytes had problems presenting antigens, which are signals that help T cells recognize and attack cancer.
• These monocytes showed higher levels of a protein called ULK2, which blocks normal immune activity.
• When scientists blocked ULK1/ULK2, T cells worked better, and tumors didn’t grow as much in lab models.

CD14+ monocytes in myeloma patients can suppress the immune system by interfering with how T cells recognize cancer. Targeting the ULK2 pathway might help make T-cell–based treatments work better in multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Real-World Use of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) and carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Kd) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the Asia Pacific Region: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study"

Source

Hanga Quach, Kihyun Kim, Raymond Siu Ming Wong, Si Yun Melinda Tan, Ming-Chung Wang, Kopei Chang, Megan Braunlin, Mihaela Talpes, Rani Najdi, Jin Seok Kim, Real-World Use of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) and carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Kd) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the Asia Pacific Region: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.001. May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Kyprolis®(carfilzomib) is a drug used to treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This real-world study looked at how well it worked for 300 patients in the Asia Pacific region using two treatment combos:

• KRd: Kyrpolis (carfilzomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone
• Kd: Kyrpolis (carfilzomib)  dexamethasone

What they found:

• Patients on KRd were a bit younger and had fewer past treatments. They had an 81.7% response rate, with over half reaching a complete response.
• Patients on Kd had more prior treatments and a 54.5% response rate, with about a quarter reaching a complete response.
• KRd patients lived longer (average 60.9 months) and had more time before the cancer got worse (38.5 months) compared to Kd patients (41.6 and 23.7 months).
• Both treatments were generally well tolerated, with low rates of serious side effects or people needing to stop treatment.

Carfilzomib, especially in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd), is effective and safe, even in real-world settings across Asia, confirming what clinical trials have shown.

 

 

"Allogeneic versus autologous stem cell transplantation after relapsing following first line autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma: a systematic review"

Source

Ludwig H, Bernhard S, Ikeda T, et al. Allogeneic versus autologous stem cell transplantation after relapsing following first line autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma: a systematic review. Cancer. 2025;e35896. doi:10.1002/cncr.35896  May 7, 2025. 

Overview

A team of researchers looked at different studies to figure out if getting donor stem cells (allo-SCT) works better than using your own stem cells again (second auto-SCT) for people with multiple myeloma who relapsed after their first transplant.

They studied data from over 800 patients and compared survival rates and how long people stayed in remission. Across several studies, people who had a second auto-SCT lived longer and had better results than those who had an allo-SCT.

The conclusion: For multiple myeloma patients who relapse after their first transplant, getting another transplant with their own stem cells is safer and more effective than using donor stem cells. Donor stem cell transplants should no longer be the go-to option in these cases.

 

 

"BCMA-targeted therapies in multiple myeloma: advances, challenges and future prospects"

Source

Amin, R., Dey, B.K., Darwin, R. et al. BCMA-targeted therapies in multiple myeloma: advances, challenges and future prospects. Med Oncol 42, 204 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02753-x  May 8, 2025.  

Overview

New treatments for multiple myeloma target a protein called BCMA, which is found on myeloma cells

This review looked at two promising BCMA-targeted therapies: CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies. CAR T therapy uses a patient’s own T-cells, which are changed in a lab to attack myeloma cells. Bispecific antibodies work by helping the immune system’s T-cells find and kill the cancer cells.

These treatments have shown strong results in clinical trials, with some patients going into full remission. But they can also cause serious side effects, like cytokine release syndrome and nerve problems.

Researchers are working to make these therapies safer, more effective, and easier for more people to get. Even though challenges remain, BCMA-targeted treatments could lead to longer remissions and maybe even cures for some people with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Identification of the distinct immune microenvironment features associated with progression following high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma"

Source

Parvathi Sudha, Travis S. Johnson, Habib Hamidi, Ke Yang, Enze Liu, Brent Smith, Vivek Chopra, Michael Nixon, Faiza Zafar, Sherif S. Farag, Gareth J. Morgan, Ola Landgren, Kelvin Lee, Attaya Suvannasankha, Magdalena Czader, Rafat Abonour, Mohammad Abu Zaid, Brian A. Walker; Identification of the distinct immune microenvironment features associated with progression following high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma. Cancer Immunol Res 2025; https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-25-0019  May 8, 2025. 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy works well for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma, but some patients still relapse after treatment. This study looked for biomarkers that could help predict who will do better after receiving BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy (specifically, idecabtagene vicleucel).

Researchers grouped patients based on how long their cancer stayed away after treatment, more or less than 180 days. They found that people who stayed in remission longer had more of a certain type of immune cell (called CCR7-positive CD8 T cells) in their blood before treatment. These cells are known for having strong memory and attack abilities.

Patients with more of these specific T-cells before treatment tended to have better results. This research could help doctors choose which patients are most likely to benefit from CAR T-cell therapy in the future.

 

 

"Attitudes and perspectives of oncologists about measurable residual disease testing in multiple myeloma: initiative for standardizing guidelines."

Source

Rehman, A.U., Ayoobkhan, F.S., Shahzad, M. et al. Attitudes and perspectives of oncologists about measurable residual disease testing in multiple myeloma: initiative for standardizing guidelines. Bone Marrow Transplant (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02604-3 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

Testing for measurable residual disease (MRD) is becoming an important way to check how well treatment is working in multiple myeloma and to help guide next steps. But many doctors aren’t using it regularly yet.

This study surveyed over 100 cancer doctors worldwide to understand why. It found that whether a doctor uses MRD testing mostly depends on their specialty, not where they live or how much experience they have. Doctors who focus more on plasma cell cancers are more likely to use MRD testing often.

Most doctors prefer using flow cytometry for the test, but they don’t all agree on what counts as a “negative” result. Many use MRD results to help make treatment decisions, but in the U.S., some doctors mainly use the results to talk with patients about their condition.

The biggest problems with using MRD testing more widely are a lack of access to the test, unclear guidelines, and cost, especially outside the U.S. The study shows we need clearer rules, better access, and more education to make MRD testing a regular part of myeloma care and help improve patient outcomes.

 

 

"Optimizing Outcomes in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Personalized Approaches and Adverse Event Management."

Source

Katodritou, E., Terpos, E., Lentzsch, S. and Kumar, S. (2025), Optimizing Outcomes in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Personalized Approaches and Adverse Event Management. Am J Hematol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27646 May 5, 2025. 

Overview

Treatments for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have come a long way, offering better results and longer survival. But they also come with new and sometimes serious side effects. This article looks at the main side effects of newer treatments and how doctors can manage them to keep patients safe and comfortable.

Key Points:

Kyprolis® (carfilzomib): This drug works well but can cause heart and lung problems. Patients with heart issues need close monitoring. Doctors often start at a lower dose and adjust slowly.

Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin): This BCMA-targeting drug can affect vision, sometimes severely. Doctors may adjust the dose or timing and recommend eye exams or even cataract surgery before treatment starts. While it has been approved in the UK and in Japan, Blenrep is still not FDA-approved in the U.S.

Xpovio® (selinexor): An oral drug that can cause intense nausea and weight loss. These can often be prevented with a mix of anti-nausea meds and regular check-ins about eating and drinking habits.

CAR-T Cell Therapy: This treatment can cause a reaction called cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can look like an infection and cause fever or low blood pressure. It can also lead to nerve issues. Close monitoring and fast treatment are critical.

Bispecific Antibodies (BsAb): These can also cause CRS and serious infections. Preventive steps like giving IV immune support and antiviral medications help lower risks. Vaccines are important before treatment starts.

Talvey® (talquetamab: A newer drug that can cause problems like taste changes, weight loss, and skin issues, but it has fewer infection risks than some other treatments.

Modern treatments for RRMM are powerful, but they bring side effects that require careful attention. Doctors are encouraged to work with specialists—like heart, eye, or infection experts—to help manage these side effects. With teamwork, smart monitoring, and good communication with patients, these newer therapies can be used safely and effectively to improve outcomes in multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Bioinformatics analysis of intrinsic drivers of immune dysregulation in multiple myeloma to elucidate immune phenotypes and discover prognostic gene signatures"

Source

Fang, CF., Li, Y., Yang, C. et al. Bioinformatics analysis of intrinsic drivers of immune dysregulation in multiple myeloma to elucidate immune phenotypes and discover prognostic gene signatures. Sci Rep 15, 15662 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00074-7  May 5, 2025 5  

Overview

Researchers have found that how the immune system behaves inside the bone marrow (called the tumor microenvironment) plays a major role in how multiple myeloma grows and how patients respond to treatment. Using genetic data from hundreds of patients, they identified two major immune patterns—or “subtypes”—within myeloma:

Subgroup 1: These patients had a weaker immune response, with signs of immune system dysfunction. This group also had more cells linked to fat tissue and fewer helpful immune signals. People in this group had worse survival.

Subgroup 2:: These patients had a more active immune system, with more cancer-fighting CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. People in this group had better outcomes.

The researchers also created a 10-gene test to help predict how well someone with myeloma might do over time. This type of testing could one day help doctors match patients with the right type of immunotherapy based on how their immune system is behaving, not just their cancer’s genetics.

This work brings doctors closer to personalized treatments that could improve care and survival for people with myeloma.

 

 

"Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves"

Source

Schweighofer, J., Agis, H., Krauth, M. et al. Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves. Ophthalmol Ther (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01147-6 May 6, 2025.   

Overview

Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) is a treatment used for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. While this drug can help control the cancer, it may cause changes to the surface of the eye. A small study followed eight myeloma patients to better understand these effects.

What They Found:

• Most patients had a slight drop in vision, from about 20/25 to 20/32.
• Eye sensitivity decreased, and the corneal surface (the front part of the eye) became thicker and more irregular.
• All patients developed small cyst-like changes in the eye’s surface and signs of dry eye or irritation.
• Special imaging showed a significant loss of nerve fibers in the cornea, suggesting the drug may have a neurotoxic effect (it affects the nerves in the eye).

What This Means:

While vision changes were generally mild, this study confirms that belantamab mafodotin can affect the eyes in specific ways. Eye monitoring is important during treatment. Researchers are still learning about the long-term effects and how to best manage them. If you're receiving belantamab mafodotin, regular eye exams are key to protecting your vision.

 

 

"The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma"

Source

Dingli, S., Rothweiler, P., Binder, M. et al. The ratio of brain to liver glucose activity and disease activity in multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J. 15, 90 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01280-2  May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Cancer cells, including those in multiple myeloma, use a lot of sugar (glucose) to grow. Doctors can track this using a special scan called a PET scan, which shows how much sugar different parts of the body are using.

In this study, researchers looked at how much sugar the brain and liver were using in people with myeloma. They found that a simple number — called the brain-to-liver ratio (B2LR) — could tell them how active the disease was.

Key Findings:

• When the B2LR was low, it meant the cancer was more active and possibly spreading outside the bone marrow (extramedullary disease).
• Patients with low B2LR were also less likely to respond well to CAR T-cell therapy and had shorter survival times.
• A higher B2LR was linked to better outcomes.

What This Means:

This study suggests that a simple measure from a PET scan — comparing sugar use in the brain and liver — could help doctors predict how aggressive a patient’s myeloma is and how they might respond to treatment like CAR T-cell therapy. It’s a promising tool that may help personalize care for people with myeloma.

 

 

"Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Wang, L., Yang, W., Wang, Y. et al. Real-world analysis of treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of daratumumab-based regimens in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 25, 836 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13925-3 May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Darazlex® (daratumumab) is a commonly used treatment for multiple myeloma. It works by targeting a protein called CD38 on myeloma cells and also helps boost the immune system’s response. While it has been proven effective in clinical trials, this study looked at how well it works in real-world settings in China.

About This Study:

• 212 patients with either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma were treated with daratumumab at 13 hospitals in China.
• Patients received daratumumab alone or in combination with other drugs like dexamethasone, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory drugs.
• Most patients received daratumumab as part of their second treatment, but it was also used in the first, third, or fourth line of therapy.

Key Results:

• About 72% of patients had at least a partial response to treatment.
• Over half (51%) had a very good partial response or better.
• After 6 months, 84% of patients had not seen their disease progress. At 12 months, this number was 75%.
• Patients had better outcomes when daratumumab was combined with other medications rather than used alone.

Side Effects:

• Serious side effects were seen in about 14% of patients, with pneumonia being the most common.
• The most frequent blood-related side effects were low white blood cell counts, low neutrophil counts, and low platelet counts.

What This Means:

This study confirms that daratumumab-based treatments are effective and generally well-tolerated for people with multiple myeloma in everyday medical settings in China. The results support its continued use as a standard treatment, and more data will be collected as the study continues.

 

 

"Nephrotoxicity of CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Chen, Z., Chen, Y., Liu, J. et al. Nephrotoxicity of CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Int Urol Nephrol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-025-04503-4  May 1, 2025. 

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) is a bispecific antibody approved for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). It targets both BCMA (a marker on myeloma cells) and CD3 (on immune T cells), helping the immune system attack the cancer.

Currently, teclistamab is given once a week (QW) at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. If a patient stays in complete remission (CR) or better for 6 months, they may switch to getting it every two weeks (Q2W).

Researchers studied whether this less frequent dosing still works well. They used patient data and computer models from the MajesTEC-1 trial to look at how the drug moves through the body (pharmacokinetics) and how well it fights the cancer (effectiveness).

Key Findings:

• Patients who switched to Q2W dosing had slightly lower drug levels in their blood—but these levels were still strong enough to work well.
• The immune response (how well the drug helps T cells attack cancer) stayed about the same after the switch.
• Tumor reduction and how long the response lasted were also similar between those who stayed on weekly dosing and those who switched to every two weeks.
• A once-every-four-weeks (Q4W) dose of 3 mg/kg may also provide similar benefit and will be tested in upcoming clinical trials.

What This Means for Patients:

If you’ve had a strong response to teclistamab for 6 months or more, you may be able to get treatments less often—either every two weeks or, in the future, possibly once a month—without losing the benefit. This could mean fewer clinic visits and more convenience, while still effectively managing your myeloma.

 

 

"T-lymphocytes suppression by CD14+ monocytes with high expression of ULK2 in patients with multiple myeloma"

Source

Peng, F., Liu, Z., Jiang, F. et al. T-lymphocytes suppression by CD14+ monocytes with high expression of ULK2 in patients with multiple myeloma. J Transl Med 23, 511 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06516-0 May 7, 2025

Overview

Multiple myeloma is incurabe, and patients with myeloma often relapse after treatment. One reason may be that the bone marrow—the area where myeloma cells grow—also contains certain immune cells that actually weaken the body’s ability to fight the cancer.

This study looked closely at one type of immune cell found in the bone marrow: CD14+ monocytes. These cells usually help alert the immune system to danger, but in people with newly diagnosed myeloma, they don’t work properly. Instead of helping, they actually suppress the activity of T cells—the immune cells that help destroy cancer.

Key Findings:

• CD14+ monocytes in myeloma patients show signs of damage. They don’t present antigens (signals that alert T cells to attack) the way they should.
• These monocytes also have high levels of a protein called ULK2, which is involved in the body’s system for processing antigens.
• When researchers blocked ULK2 in the lab, the monocytes became less harmful and allowed T cells to work better.
• In a mouse model, high ULK2 levels in monocytes led to faster tumor growth and weaker T-cell responses.

What This Means for Patients:

Scientists are starting to understand how the bone marrow environment can block the immune system’s ability to fight multiple myeloma. This research suggests that targeting the ULK2 protein in monocytes might improve the success of T-cell-based treatments like CAR T-cell therapy or other immunotherapies. It’s an early but promising step toward better myeloma treatment.

 

 

"Real-World Use of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) and carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Kd) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the Asia Pacific Region: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study"

Source

Hanga Quach, Kihyun Kim, Raymond Siu Ming Wong, Si Yun Melinda Tan, Ming-Chung Wang, Kopei Chang, Megan Braunlin, Mihaela Talpes, Rani Najdi, Jin Seok Kim, Real-World Use of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) and carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Kd) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the Asia Pacific Region: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.001. May 7, 2025. 

Overview

Kyproils (carfilzomib) is a treatment used for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. While clinical trials have shown that it works well, real-world data—especially from the Asia-Pacific region—has been limited. This study helps fill that gap.

What the Study Looked At:

Researchers followed 300 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in the Asia Pacific region. Patients were treated with one of two approved carfilzomib combinations:

• KRd: Carfilzomib, Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone
• Kd: Carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone

Key Results:

• KRd led to better outcomes:
  • 82% of patients responded to treatment
  • Over half had a complete response
  • Patients lived for a median of over 5 years (61 months)
  • It took a median of over 3 years (38.5 months) for the disease to progress
• Kd had lower response rates but was still helpful, especially for patients who had already received several other treatments:
  • 55% responded
  • Median overall survival: about 3.5 years (41.6 months)
  • Median time to progression: nearly 2 years (23.7 months)

Safety:

• Serious side effects were more common with Kd (31%) than KRd (19%)
• Very few people had to stop treatment due to side effects

This study shows that carfilzomib is effective and generally well tolerated in real-world use, even for patients who have had multiple earlier treatments. KRd tends to offer stronger results than Kd, but both are valuable options for relapsed multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Allogeneic versus autologous stem cell transplantation after relapsing following first-line autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma: a systematic review"

Source

Ludwig H, Bernhard S, Ikeda T, et al. Allogeneic versus autologous stem cell transplantation after relapsing following first line autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma: a systematic review. Cancer. 2025;e35896. doi:10.1002/cncr.35896  May 7, 2025. 

Overview

For patients with multiple myeloma who relapse after an autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT), there has been debate about whether a second auto-SCT or an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) is the better option. This new study helps clear things up.

What the Researchers Did:

The researchers looked at data from over 800 patients across multiple studies, including large transplant registries in Japan and the U.S. They compared:

• Patients who received a second auto-SCT
• Patients who received an allo-SCT (a transplant from a donor)

They also looked at studies comparing outcomes between patients who had a donor available for allo-SCT and those who didn’t.

Key Findings:

• Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were better with a second auto-SCT than with allo-SCT.
• Patients who had allo-SCT did not live as long or stay in remission as long as those who had a second auto-SCT.
• While patients who had a matched donor for allo-SCT showed slightly better outcomes than those without a donor, the overall results still favored auto-SCT.

According to this study, a second autologous stem cell transplant is a better option than allogeneic transplant for most myeloma patients who relapse after their first transplant. Based on this evidence, allo-SCT should no longer be recommended in these situations.

 

 

"BCMA-targeted therapies in multiple myeloma: advances, challenges and future prospects"

Source

Amin, R., Dey, B.K., Darwin, R. et al. BCMA-targeted therapies in multiple myeloma: advances, challenges and future prospects. Med Oncol 42, 204 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-025-02753-x  May 8, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in plasma cells. For years, treatment options have helped manage the disease, but long-term remission has been hard to achieve for many patients. That’s starting to change thanks to new therapies that target a protein called BCMA.

What Is BCMA?

BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) is a protein found on the surface of myeloma cells. It plays a key role in helping these cells grow and survive, making it a powerful target for treatment.

New Therapies That Target BCMA:

This review looks at two of the most promising new treatments:

• CAR T-cell therapy: This uses a patient’s own T-cells, which are modified in a lab to find and kill cells with BCMA.
• Bispecific antibodies: These are drugs designed to link myeloma cells (by binding to BCMA) with T-cells (by binding to CD3), helping the immune system attack the cancer.

What the Research Shows:

Studies and clinical trials have shown that BCMA-targeted therapies can be very effective, with some patients going into complete remission. However, these treatments can cause side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, which researchers are working to better manage.

BCMA-targeted treatments represent an exciting breakthrough in myeloma care. While not perfect, they offer new hope for longer remissions—and possibly even a cure—for people with multiple myeloma. Ongoing research aims to make these treatments safer, more effective, and easier to access for all patients.

 

 

"Identification of the distinct immune microenvironment features associated with progression following high dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma"

Source

Parvathi Sudha, Travis S. Johnson, Habib Hamidi, Ke Yang, Enze Liu, Brent Smith, Vivek Chopra, Michael Nixon, Faiza Zafar, Sherif S. Farag, Gareth J. Morgan, Ola Landgren, Kelvin Lee, Attaya Suvannasankha, Magdalena Czader, Rafat Abonour, Mohammad Abu Zaid, Brian A. Walker; Identification of the distinct immune microenvironment features associated with progression following high dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma. Cancer Immunol Res 2025; https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-25-0019  May 8, 2025. 

Overview

High-dose chemotherapy with melphalan followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a common and effective treatment for multiple myeloma. It can lead to deep and lasting remissions. But for some patients, the cancer returns quickly—and doctors have been unsure why.

A recent study looked at the immune system of 40 myeloma patients before and after ASCT to find out what might be different in those who relapsed.

What the Study Found:

• Patients whose cancer came back had more T-cells, but these T-cells were less diverse and often appeared exhausted (too tired to fight the cancer).
• These patients also had fewer monocytes and CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells, both of which help the immune system attack cancer.
• They also had fewer plasmacytoid dendritic cells, another important immune cell type.

Researchers used these differences to create a model that may help predict who is more likely to relapse after transplant. This model could also be used with a simple test called flow cytometry.

This study shows that the immune environment plays a big role in how well a patient responds to a stem cell transplant. Understanding these immune differences may help doctors find new ways to prevent relapse and improve long-term outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Decoding multiple myeloma: single-cell insights into tumor heterogeneity, immune dynamics, and disease progression"

Source

Zhao Z, Zhao Z, Lin Z, Fan L, Xiahou Z, Dong Y, Bao W. Decoding multiple myeloma: single-cell insights into tumor heterogeneity, immune dynamics, and disease progression. Front Immunol. 2025 May 8;16:1584350. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1584350. 

Overview

A new study looked at how nerve signals and immune cells inside the bone marrow may work together to affect how myeloma grows and responds to treatment.

What the Study Did:

Researchers used a high-tech tool called single-cell RNA sequencing to study myeloma cells and nearby immune cells at the single-cell level. They studied samples from patients with multiple myeloma and high-risk smoldering myeloma. This let them see the differences between different types of cancer cells and how they interact with other cells in the bone marrow.

Key Findings:

• The team found four different groups of myeloma cells, including one group that was highly active and fast-growing. These cells were less mature and may help the cancer avoid detection by the immune system.
• They also discovered signals between nerves and immune cells that may play a role in helping the cancer grow and resist treatment.
• These nerve-related signals, called neuroinflammatory and neurotrophic factors, may change how immune cells behave in the tumor environment.

This research helps explain how the nervous system may influence the immune response in myeloma. Targeting these nerve-immune interactions—also known as the neuroimmune axis—could lead to new, more personalized treatments for patients, especially those whose disease is resistant to current therapies.

Understanding how the body’s own nerve and immune systems affect cancer growth may offer a new path toward better outcomes for people living with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Evaluation of Sox4 levels in multiple myeloma patients"

Source

Lombardi E, Kowal KE, Almanza G, Agostini F, Da Ros F, Valvasori M, Vicinanza C, Alzetta D, Montante B, Marangon M, Crestani S, Lamon G, Rupolo M, Mazzucato M, Durante C, Zanetti M, Michieli M. Evaluation of Sox4 levels in multiple myeloma patients. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286794 [Early view]. May 8, 2025. 

Overview

This recent study looked closely at what helps myeloma cells keep coming back—and one protein, called SOX4, stood out.

What Is SOX4?

SOX4 is a protein found in many cancers that helps cancer cells grow, survive, and resist death. In this study, researchers found that SOX4 levels were much higher in people with active or treatment-resistant myeloma than in people with precursor conditions like MGUS or smoldering myeloma. High SOX4 levels were especially linked to disease progression and relapse.

What Else Did the Study Find?

• SOX4 goes up as myeloma gets worse. In one patient, SOX4 levels increased between two bone marrow biopsies taken six months apart—right as the cancer was progressing.
• A molecule called TGF-β1, which causes inflammation, triggers more SOX4 production. TGF-β1 is often found in high levels in the myeloma bone marrow environment.
• SOX4 also boosts levels of CD56, a sticky molecule that helps myeloma cells attach to the bone marrow, making them harder to treat.
• Patients with high CD56 also had more progranulin (PGRN), another molecule that supports cancer cell growth and helps the tumor hide from the immune system.

Conclusions

The study shows that SOX4 may be a key driver of myeloma progression, and it stays high even after treatment. This means it could be used in the future to:

• Help predict how a patient’s disease will behave
• Guide treatment decisions
• Serve as a new target for therapy, especially for people whose cancer has returned or become resistant

Researchers believe that blocking SOX4—or the inflammatory signals that boost it—could slow the disease and improve outcomes for patients.

SOX4 may be an important “on switch” for myeloma progression. Targeting it could offer a new way to fight the disease and delay relapse.

 

 

"Comparison of analysis of serum free light chains in a cartridge-based protein analyzer Mispa i3 with Roche Cobas 8000"

Source

B L, A., Thomas, T., Daniel, D., Paul, J. K., & Vasudevan, D. M. (2025). Comparison of analysis of serum free light chains in a cartridge-based protein analyzer Mispa i3 with Roche Cobas 8000. Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/15321819.2025.2502433 May 8, 2025. 

Overview

When it comes to diagnosing and monitoring multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders, doctors often look at special proteins in the blood called free light chains. These proteins are part of antibodies made by plasma cells, and measuring them can help show how active the disease is.

This study compared two different machines used to measure free light chains:

• Mispa i3, a newer cartridge-based system
• Roche Cobas, a commonly used lab system

What Was the Study About?

Researchers wanted to see how well these two systems agreed when testing the same blood samples from 196 patients. Both systems use similar technology to detect free light chains in the blood and rely on antibodies to do the job.

What Did They Find?

• The results from both systems matched very closely.
• Even though there were a few differences in samples with very high levels of free light chains, these didn’t affect the overall interpretation when doctors looked at the free light chain ratio, a key number used to assess disease activity.
• Overall, there was an 89% agreement between the two systems when comparing those ratios.

Conclusions

This study shows that the Mispa i3 system is a reliable option for measuring free light chains, giving results similar to the more established Roche Cobas system. That means doctors and labs may have more choices for testing tools—without sacrificing accuracy—when tracking myeloma and related conditions.

Accurate free light chain testing is critical in myeloma care. This study confirms that two different testing systems provide consistent results in most cases, helping support good monitoring and treatment decisions.

 

 

"MAMDC2-AS1 Induces Cuproptosis in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Chen, Y., Liu, J. and Zhu, Y. (2025), MAMDC2-AS1 Induces Cuproptosis in Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Cancer Reports, 8: e70216. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70216 May 8, 2025 

Overview

For people with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), finding better ways to predict and manage disease progression is critical.

A recent study looked at the genetic activity in bone marrow samples from over 600 multiple myeloma patients to understand what makes RRMM different and more difficult to treat.

What Did the Researchers Discover?

The researchers focused on a special type of cell death called cuproptosis, which is triggered by copper in cells. They found that in RRMM, certain genes linked to cuproptosis were more active.

Among the many genes studied, they found one in particular—MAMDC2-AS1, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)—that stood out. Patients who had higher levels of MAMDC2-AS1 were more likely to have shorter overall survival.

Why Is This Important?

• MAMDC2-AS1 may serve as a new biomarker, helping doctors identify patients at higher risk for poor outcomes.
• It could be used to predict how the disease might progress in RRMM patients.
• The study also pointed to potential treatments—Bortezomib, Bosutinib, Crizotinib, and DMOG—that may be effective in patients with this gene activity pattern.

Conclusions

This study uncovered a new genetic signal—MAMDC2-AS1—that could help predict outcomes in patients with hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. It also points to possible treatment options that might work better for these high-risk patients. While more research is needed, this is a hopeful step toward more personalized

 

 

"Immunosuppressive Effects of Multiple Myeloma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Through T Cell Exhaustion"

Source

Hagiwara, S., Ri, M., Ebina, T., Marumo, Y., Nakamura, T., Hirade, K., Nakashima, T., Asano, A., Kinoshita, S., Suzuki, T., Narita, T., Masaki, A., Komatsu, H. and Iida, S. (2025), Immunosuppressive Effects of Multiple Myeloma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Through T Cell Exhaustion. Cancer Sci. https://doi.org/10.1111/cas.70099 May 8, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) doesn’t just affect the bone marrow; it also creates an environment that weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight the cancer. A new study looked at tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are released by myeloma cells and act like messengers in the body.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers discovered that these EVs can weaken the immune response, especially in CD8+ T cells, which are important for killing cancer cells. When healthy immune cells were exposed to EVs from myeloma cells, the immune cells showed signs of “exhaustion.” This means they were less active and less able to do their job.

The study found that myeloma EVs carry certain proteins—including IL-8 and SPHK1—that may play a role in this immune suppression. One pathway, called SPHK1/S1P signaling, seems especially important in turning off T cell activity.

Conclusions

These findings help explain how multiple myeloma can hide from the immune system and resist treatment. By promoting T cell exhaustion, the cancer creates an immune-suppressive environment that allows it to grow and survive.

Understanding how myeloma EVs affect the immune system could lead to new treatments that block these harmful messages and help boost the body’s natural defenses. It’s one more step toward smarter, more effective therapies for people living with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Outcomes of elderly patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with teclistamab: a multicenter study from the U.S. Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium"

Source

Pasvolsky, O., Dima, D., Feng, L. et al. Outcomes of elderly patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with teclistamab: a multicenter study from the U.S. Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium. Blood Cancer J. 15, 92 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01297-7 May 9 2025. 

Overview

Tecvayli® (teclistamab) is an approved treatment for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. It works by helping the immune system recognize and attack myeloma cells. While this drug was shown to work well in earlier studies, most participants were under 75 years old, even though myeloma mostly affects older adults.

A new study looked at how teclistamab works in real-world patients, especially those aged 75 and older. Out of 385 patients treated with teclistamab, 83 were in the older group. Compared to younger patients, these older adults tended to have less aggressive disease when they started treatment.

The results showed that older patients had similar response rates and side effects compared to younger patients. This included common side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (ICANS). Most importantly, age alone did not affect survival outcomes.

What This Means

This study suggests that teclistamab can be a safe and effective option for people 75 and older, as long as they are carefully selected for treatment. Age by itself should not be a reason to avoid using teclistamab in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma.

 

 

"The benefits of telehealth in promoting equity in blood cancer care – results of a multi-stakeholder forum and narrative review"

Source

Mikhael, J., Darlington, D., Howell, B., Hydren, J., Hernandez, T., Werner, S., … Choon-Quinones, M. (2025). The benefits of telehealth in promoting equity in blood cancer care – results of a multi-stakeholder forum and narrative review. Journal of Medical Economics, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2024.2438561 May 9, 2025. 

Overview

Even though treatment for blood cancers has improved, not everyone has the same access to care—especially people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Telehealth (using phones, video calls, and online tools to get medical care from home) could help close these gaps.

What the Study Looked At:

Experts reviewed research and held a discussion to understand how telehealth is being used for blood cancer patients, including people with multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma.

They looked at:

• 18 studies using telehealth
• Two main types of solutions:
• Online consultations with doctors
• Remote support programs to help patients stay healthy

What They Found:

• Telehealth improved quality of life
• Patients and doctors generally liked using it
• It helped people stick to their treatment plans
• It lowered costs and used fewer medical resources

Telehealth could make it easier and fairer for people with blood cancers to get the care they need—especially those in remote or underserved areas. But more research is needed to better understand how telehealth impacts long-term care, especially in areas like diagnosis and treatment access.

 

 

"Phase 1 study of talquetamab, a humanized GPRC5D x CD3 bispecific antibody, in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory MM"

Source

Iida, S., Sunami, K., Ito, S. et al. Phase 1 study of talquetamab, a humanized GPRC5D x CD3 bispecific antibody, in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Int J Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-025-03991-5 May 9, 2025. 

Overview

The drug Talvey® (talquetamab), a bispecific antibody, is showing strong results for people in Japan with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma who have already gone through several other treatments.

What the Study Did:

In a clinical trial with 15 Japanese patients, researchers tested different doses of talquetamab given as a shot under the skin. All patients had already been treated with:

• A proteasome inhibitor
• An immunomodulatory drug
• An anti-CD38 antibody

What They Found:

• No serious side effects led to stopping treatment or lowering the dose.
• Common side effects included low white blood cell counts (neutropenia and lymphopenia) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS), but these were manageable.
• Other side effects, like dry mouth, skin changes, nail problems, and changes in taste, were mild (grade 1 or 2).
• 60% of patients had a partial response or better after treatment.
• On average, patients were followed for 9 months.

Conclusions:

Talquetamab worked well and was generally safe for Japanese patients, matching results seen in global studies. It may become a new treatment option for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Japan.

 

 

"Comparison of tandem and single autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: a retrospective propensity score-matching study"

Source

Wu, Shun-Quana; Li, Xiao-Fana,b; Qiu, Zong-Jiana; Zhu, Zhi-Juana; Chen, Xian-Linga; Chen, Pinga; Yuan, Xiao-Honga; Zhan, Ronga,*; Li, Nai-Nonga,b,*. Comparison of tandem and single autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: a retrospective propensity score-matching study. Blood Science 7(2):p e00235, June 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/BS9.0000000000000235 May 9, 2025. 

Overview

A team of doctors in China studied how tandem stem cell transplants (two transplants a few months apart) compare to a single transplant in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). This type of treatment is used for patients who are healthy enough to go through a stem cell transplant.

Why This Study Was Done:

Tandem transplants were more common before newer cancer drugs became available. Some studies say they help patients live longer, especially those with high-risk genetics or advanced-stage disease, but others disagree. The goal was to find out if tandem transplants still offer benefits today.

What the Doctors Did:

• Reviewed 80 patients treated at their hospital from 2014 to 2021.
• Half received one transplant and half received two.
• The groups were matched by age, stage of disease, genetics, and other factors to make the comparison fair.
• Patients were followed for up to 9 years.

What They Found:

• People who had tandem transplants had longer progression-free survival (PFS) — meaning it took longer for their cancer to come back.
• 71.7 months PFS for tandem vs. 33.2 months for single transplant.
• There was also a trend toward better overall survival (OS), especially in patients with high-risk genetics or advanced-stage disease.
• Side effects and safety were similar in both groups, with no transplant-related deaths in either group.
• Most side effects, like infections or mouth sores, were mild and manageable.
• One patient developed a second type of cancer years later, but this was rare.

Conclusions

This real-world study suggests tandem transplants could help some patients, especially those with more aggressive forms of myeloma. It also shows that the treatment is generally safe. However, the study had limits—it was small, looked back at older cases, and newer myeloma drugs weren't available to all patients at the time.

Tandem transplants may be worth considering for people with high-risk or advanced multiple myeloma, especially in areas where access to the latest drugs is limited. More research is still needed to confirm these results in today's treatment landscape.

 

 

"Identification and construction of a novel NET-related gene signature for predicting prognosis in multiple myeloma"

Source

Yan, H., Ding, Y., Dai, W. et al. Identification and construction of a novel NET-related gene signature for predicting prognosis in multiple myeloma. Clin Exp Med 25, 147 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01692-1 May 9, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have found that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)—web-like structures made by immune cells—play a role in the development and spread of multiple myeloma. But until now, there hasn't been much research on whether genes linked to NETs can help predict how long patients live.

What They Did:

• The team studied data from patients with multiple myeloma, looking at gene activity and survival outcomes.
• They focused on NET-related genes (NRGs) to see which ones were linked to overall survival.
• They built a risk score using nine key NRGs, including genes like HIF1A, ENO1, and FN1.
• They also created a nomogram—a tool doctors can use to estimate a patient’s outlook—using the risk score along with age, LDH levels, and staging information.

What They Found:

• Patients with higher NRG risk scores had shorter survival times.
• The nine-gene signature was a strong predictor of outcomes and could help spot high-risk patients.
• They also found links between these genes and how well certain drugs might work, which could help guide future treatments.

Conclusions:

This study shows that NET-related genes could be used as a biomarker in multiple myeloma to help predict how aggressive the disease might be and which treatments could work best. This could lead to more personalized care for patients.

 

 

"IL-38 as a Novel Biomarker in Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Prospective Clinical Evaluation"

Source

Shen H, Zhao P, Cao J. IL-38 as a Novel Biomarker in Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Prospective Clinical Evaluation. Cancer Manag Res. 2025;17:955-964 https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S520722 May 10, 2025.  

Overview

This study looked at a protein called Interleukin-38 (IL-38) in people with multiple myeloma (MM) to see if it could help with diagnosis and tracking how well treatment is working.

What They Did:

• Researchers studied 241 MM patients and 50 healthy people.
• They measured levels of IL-38 and other inflammation-related proteins like IL-1, IL-2R, IL-8, and TNF-α.
• They also looked at other common myeloma markers like immunoglobulins and β2-microglobulin.

What They Found:

• Patients with MM had higher levels of IL-1, IL-2R, IL-8, and TNF-α (which are linked to inflammation).
• IL-38 levels were much lower in MM patients than in healthy people.
• After treatment, IL-38 levels went up, suggesting it improves as the disease gets better.
• When IL-38 levels were below 18.61 pg/mL, the test correctly identified MM in about 82% of cases and ruled it out correctly in 90%.

Conclusions:

IL-38 could be a new biomarker to help diagnose multiple myeloma and track treatment progress. This could give doctors another tool to monitor how patients are doing.

 

 

"A Single-Center Study on Frontline Treatment for Multiple Myeloma Patients With 1q Abnormalities"

Source

Patel, A., Masih-Khan, E., Smith, A., Lajkosz, K., Bhella, S., Chen, C., Prica, A., Reece, D., Stewart, A.K., Tiedemann, R., Trudel, S., Yang, C., Lancman, G. and Kukreti, V. (2025), A Single-Center Study on Frontline Treatment for Multiple Myeloma Patients With 1q Abnormalities. eJHaem, 6: e270045. https://doi.org/10.1002/jha2.70045  May 11, 2025.  

Overview

This study looked at a genetic change called 1q gain, which is common in people with multiple myeloma and may be linked to worse outcomes.

What They Did:

• Researchers studied 275 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
• About 59% of them had the 1q gain abnormality.
• They compared people with and without 1q gain to see how it affected their disease and treatment results.

What They Found:

• Patients with 1q gain were more likely to have other high-risk genetic changes and more advanced stages of myeloma.
• They were also more likely to receive tandem stem cell transplants (two transplants as part of their treatment).
• Having 3 copies of 1q versus 4 or more didn’t seem to make a big difference in outcomes.

Conclusions:

This study shows that having the 1q gain abnormality is linked to more aggressive disease and may lead to poorer treatment outcomes. It helps confirm that 1q gain is an important factor for doctors to consider when planning treatment for multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in patients with solid tumours: Effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on the monoclonal protein"

Source

Andrikopoulou, A., Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, I., Kokkali, N.-A., Papanota, A.-M., Migkou, M., Malandrakis, P., Spiliopoulou, V., Liontos, M., Zagouri, F., Kaparelou, M., Papatheodoridi, A., Terpos, E., Kastritis, E., Dimopoulos, M.-A. and Gavriatopoulou, M. (2025), Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in patients with solid tumours: Effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on the monoclonal protein. Br J Haematol. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20143 May 12, 2025. 

Overview

This letter shares the results of a study that looked at whether immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—a type of cancer treatment—have any effect on monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

What Are ICIs?

ICIs help the immune system fight cancer by blocking signals that stop T cells from attacking cancer cells. They work well in many solid tumors, but aren’t approved for MM yet because past studies showed low success rates.

Why the Study Was Done:

Since MGUS happens before MM and the immune system is still somewhat active, researchers wanted to see if giving ICIs early could reduce monoclonal protein levels (M-protein), which might delay or prevent MM.

What They Did:

• They looked at 120 cancer patients treated with ICIs for other cancers.
• 14 of these patients also had MGUS.
• They checked their M-protein levels before and during treatment to see if they dropped.

What They Found:

• No significant changes in M-protein levels were seen after ICI treatment, even after 8 cycles.
• This means ICIs didn’t help shrink or slow MGUS in these patients.
• Other studies have also shown that ICIs don’t work well in MM, possibly because of the immune-suppressing environment inside the bone marrow.

Conclusions:

• MGUS and MM may be too resistant to ICIs alone, but new combinations or drugs that target other immune checkpoints might be more effective.
• More research is needed to explore other immune-based treatments, like dual checkpoint inhibitors or CAR-T therapy with PD-1 blockers.
• This study suggests that single-agent ICIs don’t affect MGUS and probably won’t help prevent it from turning into MM. Better immune-based treatment strategies are needed for these patients.

 

 

"High-Deductible Health Plans and Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Among Younger Patients With Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Mark Aaron Fiala et al. High-Deductible Health Plans and Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Among Younger Patients With Multiple Myeloma. JCO Oncol Pract 0, OP-24-00978 DOI:10.1200/OP-24-00978 May 12, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at whether having a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) causes more financial stress or makes it harder for people with multiple myeloma (MM) to get treatment.

What They Did:

• Researchers studied over 4,000 MM patients from 2010 to 2020 using insurance data.
• They compared patients with HDHPs to those with standard health plans.
• They looked at costs, time to start treatment, and use of stem cell transplants.

What They Found:

• People with HDHPs paid more out-of-pocket (OOP) in the first year—about $9,220 compared to $7,021 for those with standard plans.
• Total health care costs were similar for both groups.
• Surprisingly, people with HDHPs:
  • Started treatment slightly sooner (20 days vs. 22 days)
  • Were more likely to get a stem cell transplant (55.1% vs. 47.6%)

Conclusions

Even though people with HDHPs had higher personal medical costs, they didn’t experience delays in care or treatment. In fact, they may have had slightly faster access to some treatments. This challenges the idea that high-deductible plans always create barriers to care for serious diseases like multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Comparative Efficacy of Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel Versus Standard-of-Care Treatments for Patients with Previously Treated Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison"

Source

Puig, N., Diels, J., van Sanden, S. et al. Comparative Efficacy of Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel Versus Standard-of-Care Treatments for Patients with Previously Treated Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison. Adv Ther (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-025-03205-8  May 12, 2025. 

Overview

This study compared how well cilta-cel, a CAR-T cell therapy, works against several other drug combinations for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who no longer respond to lenalidomide.

What They Did:

• EloPd (elotuzumab + pomalidomide + dexamethasone)
• IsaKd (isatuximab + carfilzomib + dexamethasone)
• IsaPd (isatuximab + pomalidomide + dexamethasone)
• SVd (selinexor + bortezomib + dexamethasone)

What They Found:

• Cilta-cel had better results in all key areas:
  • Higher response rates (more patients’ cancer shrank or disappeared)
  • More complete responses
  • Longer time without the disease getting worse (progression-free survival)
  • Better overall survival (patients lived longer)

Conclusions

For people with RRMM who have already tried lenalidomide, cilta-cel may be a stronger treatment option than several other commonly used combinations. It shows better response and survival outcomes, making it a promising choice for these patients.

 

 

"Practice-changing updates on multiple myeloma: highlights from the 2024 ASH annual meeting"

Source

Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, I., Malandrakis, P. & Gavriatopoulou, M. Practice-changing updates on multiple myeloma: highlights from the 2024 ASH annual meeting. J Hematol Oncol 18, 54 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-025-01711-4 May 13, 2025. 

Overview

Even though multiple myeloma is still not curable, new and better treatments are coming out fast. At the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting, several important studies were shared that could change how doctors treat the disease.

Key Highlights:

• The AQUILA study showed that daratumumab alone may help people with high-risk smoldering myeloma.
• For people with active myeloma—whether they can get a transplant or not—quadruplet treatments that include anti-CD38 drugs are now the new standard.
• The drug belantamab mafodotin, which targets BCMA, is showing promise when added to other treatments for patients whose disease has come back early.
• There may also be a way to make myeloma response assessments (how doctors measure treatment success) simpler and easier.

These updates from ASH 2024 show that myeloma care is evolving fast, and new treatments and tools are helping doctors treat patients more effectively than ever before.

 

 

"Sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis"

Source

Dac, D.T., Koshihara, H., Cho, M. et al. Sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-025-03998-y May 13, 2025.  

Overview

Sarcopenia is the medical term for loss of muscle mass and strength. It’s becoming clear that this condition can lead to worse outcomes for people with blood cancers, including multiple myeloma.

A research team looked at 11 studies involving 1,866 patients with either lymphoma or multiple myeloma who underwent stem cell transplant (HCT). Nearly half of the patients had sarcopenia at the time of transplant.

Here’s what they found:

• Myeloma patients with sarcopenia were more likely to die after transplant compared to those without it.
• Sarcopenia also lowered the chances of staying in remission, especially for lymphoma patients.
• The risk of death not related to cancer relapse (called non-relapse mortality) was not significantly higher in those with sarcopenia.

Conclusions:

Sarcopenia can be a hidden risk factor. The good news? It’s possible to detect muscle loss using CT scans and treat it with nutrition and exercise. This study suggests that paying attention to muscle health before transplant may help improve outcomes for people with myeloma.

More research is needed to set clear guidelines for diagnosing and managing sarcopenia in these patients.

 

"Time trends in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality across the BRICS from 1992 to 2021 and projection to 2046"

Source

Zhang, H., Yao, Y., Zhang, X. et al. Time trends in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality across the BRICS from 1992 to 2021 and projection to 2046. BMC Public Health 25, 1765 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22688-2 May 13, 2025.  

Overview

This recent study looked at how multiple myeloma (MM) has changed over time in five countries known as the BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

What the study found:

• From 1992 to 2021, the number of new MM cases and deaths in these countries increased 4 to 5 times.
• The rate of new cases and deaths (after adjusting for age) nearly doubled.
• South Africa had the highest rates of MM in both 1992 and 2021.
• China and India had lower rates than other BRICS countries but still made up more than half of all MM cases and deaths.
• MM risk goes up with age, especially after age 40.
• In China, people born after the 1970s are seeing a sharper increase in MM risk.
• By 2046, the rates of MM are expected to keep rising in all BRICS countries.

This growing MM burden is closely linked to aging populations. Each country will need targeted strategies—like better screening, treatment, and healthcare planning—to keep up with the rising number of cases.

 

"Targeting high-risk multiple myeloma genotypes with optimized anti-CD70 CAR-T cells"

Source

Corynn Kasap, Adila Izgutdina, Bonell Patiño-Escobar, Amrik Singh Kang, Nikhil Chilakapati, Naomi Akagi, Ananya Mishu Manoj, Haley Johnson, Tasfia Rashid, Juwita Werner, Abhilash Barpanda, Huimin Geng, Yu-Hsiu Tony Lin, Sham Rampersaud, Daniel Gil-Alós, Amin Sobh, Daphné Dupéré-Richer, Adolfo Aleman, Gianina Wicaksono, K.M. Kawehi Kelii, Radhika Dalal, Emilio Ramos, Anjanaa Vijayanarayanan, Kiran Lakhani, Fernando Salangsang, Paul Phojanakong, Juan Antonio Camara Serrano, ons Zakraoui, Isa Tariq, Ajai Chari, Alfred Chung, Anupama Deepa Kumar, Thomas Martin, Jeffrey Lee Wolf, Sandy Wong, Veronica Steri, Mala Shanmugam, Lawrence H Boise, Tanja Kortemme, Samir Parekh, Elliot Stieglitz, Jonathan D Licht, William Karlon, Benjamin G Barwick, Arun Wiita; Targeting high-risk multiple myeloma genotypes with optimized anti-CD70 CAR-T cells. Blood 2025; blood.2024025536. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025536 May 13, 2025.  

Overview

While CAR-T cell therapy that targets BCMA has helped many people with multiple myeloma, patients with high-risk disease often relapse quickly. These patients need new treatment options.

A recent study highlights a new potential target called CD70, a protein found in larger amounts on the surface of high-risk myeloma cells. Researchers developed a new kind of CAR-T cell that uses a natural receptor (CD27) to target CD70. This new CAR-T design worked much better than previous versions, expanding over 80 times more in lab models.

The study also used machine learning to figure out why CD70 shows up more in high-risk cases, pointing to key genes that may be involved.

Researchers say this new approach—especially combining CAR-Ts that target both CD70 and BCMA—could help prevent resistance and give patients another line of defense against aggressive forms of multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Universal driving restrictions beyond 4 weeks appear unnecessary following CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma"

Source

Rahul Banerjee, Alicia Richards, Shonali Midha, Aimaz Afrough, Faiz Anwer, Djordje Atanackovic, Shebli Atrash, Veronika Bachanova, Amer M. Beitinjaneh, Evguenia Bhurtel, Omar Castaneda Puglianini, Saurabh Chhabra, Kara I. Cicero, James A. Davis, Binod Dhakal, Danai Dima, Christopher J. Ferreri, Peter A. Forsberg, Ciara L. Freeman, Megan M. Herr, Tania Jain, Murali Janakiram, Jack Khouri, Mehmet H. Kocoglu, Anupama Kumar, Yuxin Liu, Frederick Locke, Joseph P. McGuirk, Lekha Mikkilineni, Omar Nadeem, Ricardo D. Parrondo, Oren Pasvolsky, Lauren C. Peres, Sneha Purvey, Shahzad Raza, Ran Reshef, Shambavi Richard, Adriana C. Rossi, Douglas W. Sborov, Leyla Shune, Charlotte B. Wagner, Saurabh S. Zanwar, Surbhi Sidana, Krina K. Patel, Doris K. Hansen, Shaji K. Kumar, Yi Lin, Thomas G. Martin, Peter M. Voorhees, Larry D. Anderson, Andrew J. Cowan, Gurbakhash Kaur; Universal driving restrictions beyond 4 weeks appear unnecessary following CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; 9 (9): 2336–2340. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016131  May 13, 2025.   

Overview

CAR-T therapies like ide-cel and cilta-cel have helped many people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. But the treatment process is long and intense. After the CAR-T cells are given, patients must stay close to their treatment center for 4 weeks to monitor for side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or neurotoxicity (ICANS). These rules are set by both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

What many people don’t realize is that patients are also told not to drive or use heavy machinery for 8 weeks after their CAR-T infusion. This rule was originally based on older studies in other cancers, where some patients had seizures after a different kind of CAR-T therapy. However, seizures haven’t been reported in large clinical trials of CAR-T in myeloma.

A new study looked at whether this 8-week driving ban is truly needed for myeloma patients. Researchers studied 586 people who received ide-cel or cilta-cel. They focused on weeks 5 through 8 after infusion—after the 4-week period when side effects are most common. Only 5 people (less than 1%) had new side effects during that time that might affect driving, and none had seizures.

They also surveyed doctors who treat myeloma. Most said they agreed with no driving during the first 4 weeks, but disagreed with extending the ban to 8 weeks. Many doctors felt that after 4 weeks, decisions about driving should be made case by case, depending on how the patient is doing.

The authors of the study believe the current 8-week driving restriction may create unnecessary hardship, especially for people without easy access to transportation or help from caregivers. This rule may even discourage some patients from choosing CAR-T therapy when it might be the best option.

Bottom line: Serious side effects that affect driving are rare after the first month of CAR-T therapy for myeloma. Doctors and patients may want to work together to decide when it's safe to get back behind the wheel—instead of automatically waiting 8 weeks.

 

 

"Prior exposure to belantamab mafodotin influences outcomes with idecabtagene vicleucel in patients with multiple myeloma"

Source

Rahul Banerjee, Alicia Richards, Shonali Midha, Aimaz Afrough, Faiz Anwer, Djordje Atanackovic, Shebli Atrash, Veronika Bachanova, Amer M. Beitinjaneh, Evguenia Bhurtel, Omar Bhavesh Mohan Lal, Marah Alzubi, Jawad Alrawabdeh, John D. Shaughnessy, Fenghuang Zhan, Eric R. Siegel, Carolina Schinke, Sharmilan Thanendrarajan, Maurizio Zangari, Frits van Rhee, Samer Al Hadidi; Prior exposure to belantamab mafodotin influences outcomes with idecabtagene vicleucel in patients with multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2025; 9 (9): 2155–2158. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015648 May 13, 2025.    

Overview

Some treatments for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) target a protein called BCMA. These treatments include antibody-drug conjugates, like Blenreap (belantamab mafodotin);  bispecific T-cell engagers; and CAR T-cell therapies, like Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel, or ide-cel).

Belantamab was approved in 2020 but later withdrawn. However, new studies suggest it may be helpful when combined with other drugs, and it could return to clinical use. At the same time, ide-cel, a BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, is being used more often. But it’s unclear how prior treatment with belantamab affects the success of ide-cel.

A study from the University of Arkansas looked at 61 patients who received ide-cel. About one-third had previously been treated with belantamab. The researchers found that:

• Side effects from ide-cel (such as cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and low blood counts) were similar whether or not patients had taken belantamab before.
• Response to ide-cel was lower in patients who had been treated with belantamab—especially those who had responded well to it.
• Progression-free survival (how long the cancer stayed under control) was shorter for patients who had taken belantamab.
• Overall survival was also worse in those previously treated with belantamab.

These findings suggest that belantamab may reduce the effectiveness of future BCMA-targeted therapies like ide-cel, especially in patients who initially responded to belantamab. Scientists think this might be due to changes in how myeloma cells show BCMA on their surface after treatment.

As more BCMA-targeted therapies become available, it's important to understand how to best sequence them. More research is needed to help doctors choose the right order of treatments for each patient.

 

 

"Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Daratumumab-Integrated Quadruple Therapy Versus Triple Therapy in Transplant-Eligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"

Source

Kleuber Arias Meireles Martins, Leonardo Januário Campos Cardoso, Filipe Melo Ribeiro, André Luís Pereira, Pedro Henrique Gibram Gontijo, João Pedro Oliveira, Pedro Luiz Lage Bodour Danielian, André Dias Américo, Phillip Scheinberg, Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Daratumumab-Integrated Quadruple Therapy Versus Triple Therapy in Transplant-Eligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.007. May 14, 2025. 

Overview

For people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are healthy enough for a stem cell transplant, the usual first treatment includes a three-drug combination (called triplet therapy) followed by a stem cell transplant. Researchers are now looking at whether adding a fourth drug—daratumumab—to this combination might help patients even more.

Darzalex® (daratumumab) is a type of antibody therapy that targets a protein called CD38, which is found on myeloma cells. This study reviewed results from five clinical trials involving over 3,400 patients to compare standard triplet therapy with and without daratumumab.

Here’s what they found:

• Patients who received daratumumab with triplet therapy had better outcomes overall, including:
• Longer progression-free survival (the time the cancer stays under control)
• Longer overall survival
• Higher response rates, including more patients reaching minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity—meaning very few or no myeloma cells could be detected
• However, adding daratumumab also led to a higher risk of side effects, including both blood-related and other complications.

Adding daratumumab to standard treatment for transplant-eligible patients may help control the disease better and for longer—but it can also increase the risk of side effects. Patients and doctors should weigh the benefits and risks together when choosing the best treatment plan.

 

 

"Prognostic and diagnostic value of PVR gene and protein levels, serum amylase, and urinary IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2 biomarkers in multiple myeloma"

Source

Habib, E.M., Hasan, A.M., Mohammed, S.A.A. et al. Prognostic and diagnostic value of PVR gene and protein levels, serum amylase, and urinary IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2 biomarkers in multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 25, 873 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14241-6 May 14, 2025.  

Overview

A new study has found that certain blood and urine tests may help doctors better understand how aggressive a patient’s multiple myeloma is—and how it might progress over time.

Researchers looked at 50 people with multiple myeloma and compared them to 50 healthy individuals. They measured levels of a gene and protein called PVR, along with serum amylase (a digestive enzyme) and two urine markers (IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2), which can indicate kidney stress.

Key findings:

PVR levels were much higher in people with myeloma. High PVR was linked to more advanced disease, more TP53 mutations (a gene change tied to worse outcomes), and shorter survival.

Patients with high levels of serum amylase or urinary IGFBP-7 also had shorter survival and faster disease progression.

Together, these three markers—PVR, amylase, and IGFBP-7—were better at predicting outcomes than any single test alone.

The combination of these tests was also very accurate at detecting multiple myeloma in patients compared to healthy people.

What this means 

These results suggest that testing for PVR, amylase, and IGFBP-7 may help doctors identify patients at higher risk and make more informed treatment decisions. While promising, these tests need to be studied in more patients and at more hospitals before they become part of routine care.

If confirmed in future research, these biomarkers could help personalize myeloma treatment and improve outcomes.

 

 

"Extramedullary Myeloma is Genomically Complex and Characterized by Near-Universal MAPK Pathway Alterations"

Source

Saurabh Zanwar, Joseph Novak, Wilson I Gonsalves, Michael Howe, Esteban Braggio, S. Vincent Rajkumar, Moritz Binder, Dragan Jevremovic, Surendra Dasari, Shaji K Kumar; Extramedullary Myeloma is Genomically Complex and Characterized by Near-Universal MAPK Pathway Alterations. Blood Adv 2025; bloodadvances.2025016619. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016619 May 14, 2025  

Overview

Extramedullary disease (EMD) occurs where cancer spreads outside the bone marrow into soft tissues or organs. Researchers recently studied how EMD is different at the genetic level—and why it tends to be harder to treat.

Key takeaways:

• EMD tumors almost always have changes in the MAPK pathway, a chain of genes that helps cells grow. These changes are more common in EMD than in regular myeloma inside the bone marrow.
• EMD tumors often have more genetic changes overall, making them more complex and sometimes harder to treat.
• Specific genes—like NRAS, KRAS, and BRAF—are often mutated in EMD. These genes are known to drive cancer growth.
• Other genetic changes found in EMD are linked to how cancer cells move, stick to other tissues, and control which genes are turned on or off.
• Some EMD tumors had double “hits” to tumor suppressor genes like MAX and CDKN2C, which normally help keep cancer in check.
• EMD also showed more frequent 1q gain/amplification, a known marker of high-risk myeloma.

What this means:

EMD is genetically different than standard myeloma. It may not respond as well to typical myeloma treatments. By better understanding the genes involved, researchers hope to find new, targeted therapies to improve outcomes for patients with EMD.

This research shows that treating EMD may require a different approach than treating regular myeloma.

 

 

"Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Elranatamab versus Teclistamab in Patients with Triple-Class Exposed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Updated Results"

Source

Mol I, Hu Y, LeBlanc TW, Cappelleri JC, Chu H, Nador G, Aydin D, Perez Cruz I, Hlavacek P. Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Elranatamab versus Teclistamab in Patients with Triple-Class Exposed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Updated Results. J Blood Med. 2025;16:233-239 
https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S507550 May 14, 2025. . 

Overview

Comparing Elrexfio (elranatamab) and Tecvayli (teclistamab) in Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Patients with triple-class exposed or refractory multiple myeloma (TCE/R MM)—meaning their disease no longer responds to the main types of myeloma drugs—often have limited treatment options. Two newer treatments, Elrexfio® (elranatamab) and Tecvayli® (teclistamab), are showing promise. But since they haven’t been tested head-to-head in a clinical trial, researchers used a method called a matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) to compare how well they work.

What the study found:

• This updated analysis included longer-term data—over 28 to 30 months of follow-up for both drugs.
• After adjusting for differences between the two patient groups, elranatamab showed better outcomes than teclistamab in key areas:
• Progression-free survival (PFS): Patients lived longer without their cancer getting worse.
• Overall survival (OS): Patients lived longer overall.
• Duration of response (DoR): Responses to elranatamab lasted longer.
• These findings were mostly consistent even when different methods were used to double-check the results.
• A subgroup of patients who had a complete response or better also showed similar trends favoring elranatamab.

What this means:

While more research is needed, this comparison suggests that elranatamab may offer longer-lasting benefits than teclistamab for people with TCE/R MM. These results can help doctors make more informed decisions when choosing treatments for patients with very advanced disease.

 

 

"Macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines augment the cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer cells by strengthening the NKG2D pathway in multiple myeloma"

Source

Chen, P., Chen, Y., Wang, Y. et al. Macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines augment the cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer cells by strengthening the NKG2D pathway in multiple myeloma. Sci Rep 15, 16739 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99289-x May 14, 2025.  

Overview

A newer type of treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), called cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy, is showing promise. CIK cells are a special type of immune cell that can kill cancer cells.

This study looked at how inflammatory signals from the body, called pro-inflammatory cytokines, might make CIK cells work even better.

Here's what the researchers found:

• Certain cytokines—TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6—can make myeloma cells produce more MICA/B, which are "danger signals" that help CIK cells recognize and attack cancer cells.
• Of these cytokines, TNF-α had the strongest effect, making CIK cells more effective at killing myeloma cells.
• These cytokines also increased a protein called PD-L1, which can protect cancer cells from being killed. However, blocking PD-L1 made CIK cells even stronger cancer fighters.
• The study also identified the signaling pathways that control this process, which could help in developing future treatments.

What this means:

Using the body’s own inflammatory signals—or blocking the right immune checkpoints—may help boost CIK therapy for multiple myeloma. This research could lead to more effective and targeted immunotherapy options in the future.

 

 

"Sustained bone marrow and imaging MRD negativity for 3 years drives discontinuation of maintenance post-ASCT in myeloma"

Source

Evangelos Terpos, Panagiotis Malandrakis, Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, Ioannis V. Kostopoulos, Evangelos Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou, Nikolaos Kanellias, Vasiliki Spiliopoulou, Magdalini Migkou, Despina Fotiou, Foteini Theodorakakou, Efstathios Kastritis, Maria Gavriatopoulou, Ourania E. Tsitsilonis, Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos; Sustained bone marrow and imaging MRD negativity for 3 years drives discontinuation of maintenance post-ASCT in myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (20): 2353–2360. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024027686 May 15, 2025 

Overview

Doctors often wonder whether it's safe to stop lenalidomide maintenance therapy after a stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma—especially now that we can track minimal residual disease (MRD) to check how well treatment is working.

What This Study Did:

• It followed 52 myeloma patients who had stayed MRD-negative (no signs of disease in bone marrow or imaging) for 3 years while on lenalidomide.
• These patients stopped lenalidomide to see if they could stay in remission without it.
• If a patient became MRD-positive again, they restarted lenalidomide.

What They Found:

• After stopping treatment, only 12 patients (23%) became MRD-positive again and restarted therapy.
• Just 4 patients (7.6%) saw their disease progress—and only one had serious symptoms.
• After 3 years off lenalidomide:
• Over 90% were still in remission
• More than 75% had not needed to restart treatment

Conclusions

For some patients who stay in deep remission for several years, it may be safe to pause lenalidomide maintenance without hurting their long-term outcomes. This could lead to fewer side effects, better quality of life, and lower treatment costs—without increasing the risk of relapse.

 

 

"Right time: stopping multiple myeloma maintenance"

Source

Philip McCarthy, Hemn Mohammadpour; Right time: stopping multiple myeloma maintenance. Blood 2025; 145 (20): 2241–2242. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028814 May 15, 2025. 

Overview

This commentary talks about a new study by Terpos et al that may help answer a big question in multiple myeloma (MM) care: When is it safe to stop Revlimid® (lenalidomide) maintenance therapy?

What the Study Looked At:

• 52 patients with MM who had been MRD-negative (no signs of myeloma in bone marrow or PET-CT scans) for 3 years after a stem cell transplant and maintenance therapy.
• These patients stopped lenalidomide and were followed closely.

What Happened:

• After stopping treatment, 12 patients became MRD-positive again, but restarted lenalidomide.
• Only 4 had any disease progression.
• After 3 years, all patients were still alive, and most remained in remission.

Conclusions

• This study shows that some patients can safely stop lenalidomide after long-term MRD negativity, which may reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
• Lenalidomide is effective but can cause side effects like low blood counts, infections, and a small risk of second cancers.
• MRD testing is becoming a powerful tool to measure how well patients respond to treatment and whether they can safely take breaks from therapy.
• New treatments—like CAR-T therapy, bispecific antibodies, and molecular glue degraders—are helping patients reach deep, lasting remissions, making treatment breaks more realistic.

What’s Next?

• More studies are needed to find out which patients can stop treatment and for how long.
• New, easier MRD testing methods like blood tests (mass spectrometry) may make monitoring less painful and more practical.
• The future of MM care is moving toward personalized treatment plans, where therapy is based on a patient’s specific response, not just fixed schedules.
• We're getting closer to safely reducing or stopping maintenance therapy in some myeloma patients—the right place and the right time for smarter, more tailored care.

 

 

"Immune responses after one versus two Influenza A/B vaccinations in patients with multiple myeloma"

Source

Enssle, J.C., Brinkschmidt, T., Dürrwald, R. et al. Immune responses after one versus two Influenza A/B vaccinations in patients with multiple myeloma. Ann Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06367-1 May 15, 2025. 

Overview

People with multiple myeloma (MM) have weaker immune systems because of the disease and its treatments, so getting the flu vaccine is especially important. This study looked at how well MM patients responded to one or two flu shots during the 2019–2020 flu season.

What the Study Found:

• About 63% of MM patients developed enough protection after one or two flu shots.
• Getting a booster shot (prime-boost approach) raised antibody levels but didn’t greatly increase the number of patients who responded.
• Patients who were in complete or very good partial remission, and who didn’t have immunoparesis, were more likely to have a good vaccine response.
• Higher numbers of B cells (CD19+) and T cells (CD4+) were linked to better vaccine results.
• Patients who recently had a stem cell transplant were more likely to need the two-shot approach.

Conclusions:

Most MM patients may only need one flu shot, but those who had a recent stem cell transplant might benefit more from getting two. The study helps doctors understand which patients are likely to respond well to vaccination and who might need extra protection.

 

 

"Unique molecular assay (UMA): a next-generation sequencing targeted panel for efficient and comprehensive genomic profiling and risk stratification of multiple myeloma"

Source

Poletti A, Taurisano B, Mazzocchetti G, Lionetti M, Martello M, Vuong VM, Solli V, Marzocchi G, Maeda A, Vigliotta I, Borsi E, Armuzzi S, Pistis I, Marella A, Fabris S, Tacchetti P, Mancuso K, Rizzello I, Pantani L, Testoni N, Cavo M, Zamagni E, Bolli N, Terragna C. Unique molecular assay (UMA): a next-generation sequencing targeted panel for efficient and comprehensive genomic profiling and risk stratification of multiple myeloma. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287559 [Early view]. May 15, 2025.  

Overview

This study introduces a new tool called the Unique Molecular Assay (UMA) panel to help doctors better understand the genetic changes in multiple myeloma (MM). Knowing these changes is important for figuring out a patient’s risk level and choosing the right treatment.

What the UMA Panel Does:

• It uses DNA sequencing to find key genetic problems in MM, including:
• IgH translocations (a common MM mutation)
• Copy number changes (extra or missing parts of DNA)
• Mutations in 82 important genes, like TP53

Conclusions

• The UMA panel was tested on 150 patients and worked just as well as older methods like FISH and SNP arrays.
• It provided over 93% accuracy, even when tested in different labs.
• It helped doctors use the R2-ISS system to identify high-risk patients based on their genetics.

This tool offers a fast, reliable, and affordable way to get a full picture of a patient’s myeloma genetics. It can help guide treatment decisions and make care more personalized. The UMA panel could become a powerful addition to standard testing for multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Research progress of targeted BCMA CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma antigen-negative relapse"

Source

Lulu Kong, Kailin Xu, Wei Chen, Research progress of targeted BCMA CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma antigen-negative relapse, Best Practice & Research Clinical Haematology, 2025, 101632, ISSN 1521-6926, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beha.2025.101632. May 15, 2025. 

Overview

CAR-T cell therapy that targets BCMA has shown strong results for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). But a big challenge is that many patients eventually relapse, especially when the cancer stops showing the BCMA marker—this is called antigen-negative relapse.

Why Relapse Happens:

Cancer cells may:

• Stop showing BCMA on their surface
• Hide or lose the target
• Go through genetic changes or mutations
• Use tricks like trogocytosis (stealing proteins) or BCMA shedding (releasing it into the bloodstream)

What Scientists Are Doing About It:

• To prevent or delay relapse, researchers are testing:
• Dual or multi-target CAR-T therapies (attack more than one marker)
• Combining CAR-T with other treatments like antibody-drug conjugates or BiTEs
• Using stem cell transplants alongside CAR-T
• Finding new targets for future cell therapies
• Creating new types of cell therapies like CAR-NK (natural killer cells) or CAR-M (macrophages)
• Gene editing to make CAR-T cells stronger and longer-lasting

Looking Ahead:

Future CAR-T treatments will focus more on personalized care, using a mix of therapies to lower relapse risk and help patients live longer

 

 

"Outcomes of multiple myeloma patients with prior solid tumors undergoing autologous transplantation"

Source

Oren Pasvolsky, Curtis Marcoux, Denái R. Milton, Natalie Rafaeli, Mark R. Tanner, Qaiser Bashir, Samer Srour, Neeraj Saini, Paul Lin, Jeremy Ramdial, Yago Nieto, Guilin Tang, Ali H. Mohamedi, Abdullah F. Deen, Yosra Aljawai, Hans C. Lee, Krina K. Patel, Melody R. Becnel, Partow Kebriaei, Sheeba K. Thomas, Robert Z. Orlowski, Richard Champlin, Elizabeth J. Shpall, Muzaffar H. Qazilbash, Outcomes of multiple myeloma patients with prior solid tumors undergoing autologous transplantation, Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2025, ISSN 2666-6367, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.008. May 16, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at whether having a past solid tumor (PST)—like a history of lung, breast, or colon cancer—affects outcomes for people with multiple myeloma (MM) who get a stem cell transplant (autoHCT) as part of their first treatment.

What They Did:

• Reviewed data from 2,853 MM patients who had a transplant between 1997 and 2021.
• Compared patients with PST (10%) to those without PST (90%).
• Measured progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after transplant.

What They Found:

• Patients with PST were older, more likely to be male, and more likely to have high-risk genetic markers.
• Both groups had similar response rates to treatment before and after transplant.
• Time without the cancer worsening (PFS) was about the same for both groups.
• But patients with PST had shorter overall survival — about 81 months vs. 104 months.
• Having a PST was an independent risk factor for shorter survival.

Conclusions:

Even though MM patients with a history of solid tumors respond just as well to treatment and have similar disease control, their overall survival is shorter. This suggests doctors should consider PST history when planning treatment and follow-up care for MM patients getting a stem cell transplant.

 

 

"Genetic association between coffee consumption and multiple myeloma mediated by plasma metabolites: a Mendelian randomization study"

Source

Lin S, Zhou D, Zhu H, Huang G, Yu M, Chen S, Wang J, Xia W. Genetic association between coffee consumption and multiple myeloma mediated by plasma metabolites: a Mendelian randomization study. Food Funct. 2025 May 16. doi: 10.1039/d4fo05696e. Epub ahead of print. May 16, 2025.  

Overview

Recent research shows a possible link between drinking coffee and an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM). Scientists used genetic data from large studies to look at how diet and metabolism may affect MM risk.

Here’s what they found:

• People who regularly drank coffee—including decaf, ground, and instant—had a higher genetic risk for MM.
• Certain substances in the body, like hippurate and cinnamoylglycine, may help explain how coffee increases this risk.
• These substances are part of how the body processes coffee and may affect cancer risk through a pathway called glutathione metabolism, which helps control cell damage and inflammation.

While this study doesn’t prove that coffee directly causes MM, it suggests that drinking a lot of coffee may raise your risk, especially for people with certain genetic traits. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand what they mean for MM prevention.

 

 

"Prediction of early relapse in multiple myeloma patients after Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by miR-21 and miR-181a"

Source

Kashiri, M., Zehtabcheh, S., Kheyrandish, S. et al. Prediction of early relapse in multiple myeloma patients after Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by miR-21 and miR-181a. Mol Biol Rep 52, 460 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-025-10515-1 May 16, 2025.   

Overview

Researchers are studying small molecules in the blood called microRNAs to see if they can help predict how multiple myeloma (MM) patients will respond to autologous stem cell transplant (AHSCT). These molecules don’t make proteins, but they can affect how genes work—and may play a role in cancer growth.

In this study:

• 35 people with MM gave blood samples before their transplant.
• Scientists measured the levels of miR-21 and miR-181a, two types of microRNAs.
• Patients with low miR-21 levels were less likely to relapse early. In fact, no one with low miR-21 had a relapse in the first 10 months.
• On the other hand, high levels of miR-181a were linked to a greater chance of early relapse—more than 75% of these patients relapsed within about 5 months.

What this means:

These microRNAs may help doctors predict which patients are more likely to relapse soon after transplant. This could lead to more personalized care and earlier treatment for those at higher risk. More research is needed, but these results are promising.

 

 

"Whole-body MRI Versus [18F]FDG PET/CT in Diagnosing and Monitoring Plasmacytomas: A Comparative Study"

Source

Gómez León, Nieves MD, PhD*,†; Vicuña-Andrés, Isabel MD‡; Aguado-Bueno, Beatriz MD‡; Garrido-Enjamio, Francisco MD*; Galán-González, Itxaso MD§; Castillo-Morales, Valentina MD∥; Alegre Amor, Adrián MD, PhD*,‡; Delgado Bolton, Roberto C. MD, PhD¶,#. Whole-body MRI Versus [18F]FDG PET/CT in Diagnosing and Monitoring Plasmacytomas: A Comparative Study. Clinical Nuclear Medicine ():10.1097/RLU.0000000000005954, May 16, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000005954 May 16, 2025   

Overview

Doctors use imaging tests to help find plasmacytomas—tumors made up of myeloma cells that grow in or outside of bone. Two common tests are:

• Whole-body MRI (WB-MRI)
• [18F]FDG PET/CT scan

This study looked at how well these tests work in finding plasmacytomas in people newly diagnosed or already living with multiple myeloma (MM).

What the researchers found:

• 73 patients were included in the study.
• Of the 56 who had both tests:
• WB-MRI found 98% of tumors.
• PET/CT found 84% of tumors.
• WB-MRI was especially better at finding tumors inside bones.
• For tumors outside of bone (extramedullary plasmacytomas), both tests were helpful, but WB-MRI was a bit more accurate.

What this means for patients:

If your doctor suspects you have a plasmacytoma, WB-MRI may be a better imaging choice than PET/CT in some cases. Both tests are important tools, and the right one for you depends on your symptoms and medical history. Your care team will use a combination of scans, lab tests, and expert review to decide the best plan for diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

"Key predictors of long-term outcomes in BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

An, N., Li, J., Luo, P. et al. Key predictors of long-term outcomes in BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. J Transl Med 23, 552 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06543-x May 16, 2025. 

Overview

BCMA CAR-T cell therapy is a promising treatment for people with relapsed or hard-to-treat multiple myeloma. This therapy uses a patient's own immune cells, which are modified to better recognize and destroy myeloma cells.

What was studied:

Researchers followed 56 patients in China who received a type of BCMA CAR-T therapy called equecabtagene autoleucel. They wanted to know what factors helped some patients stay in remission longer than others.

Key results:

• 96% of patients responded to treatment.
• 80% had a complete response, meaning no signs of active disease.
• Most patients became MRD-negative, which means even very small amounts of myeloma were no longer detected.
• Patients stayed in remission longer when:
• CAR-T cells remained in the body for at least 6 months.
• They stayed MRD-negative for a year or more.
• The longer a person stayed MRD-negative, the longer they stayed in remission—some for more than 5 years.
• Patients with high-risk genetics or more prior treatments had poorer outcomes.

What this means:

This study shows that BCMA CAR-T therapy can lead to long-lasting remission for many patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. Staying MRD-negative and having CAR-T cells that last longer in the body are strong signs of better outcomes. Starting treatment earlier—before the disease becomes too advanced—may help improve your chances of long-term success.

 

 

"Optimal daratumumab-based regimen for patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated multiple myeloma: systematic review and component network meta-analysis"

Source

Huang, X., Zhou, J., Qian, Y. et al. Optimal daratumumab-based regimen for patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated multiple myeloma: systematic review and component network meta-analysis. Syst Rev 14, 113 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02804-4 May 16, 2025. 

Overview

Darzalex® (daratumumab, or Dara) is a drug often used in combination with other treatments for people who are newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. But which combination works best? This large research study reviewed results from 17 clinical trials, involving over 7,000 patients, to find out.

Researchers compared several treatment combinations to see which ones helped patients the most. They looked at response rates (how well the cancer responded to treatment), how long people stayed in remission (progression-free survival), and overall survival.

Here are the top-performing combinations:

• Dara-VMD (Daratumumab + bortezomib + melphalan + steroids) had the highest overall response rates and very good partial responses.
• Dara-VTD (Daratumumab + bortezomib + thalidomide + steroids) led to the most complete responses.
• Dara-RD (Daratumumab + lenalidomide + steroids) showed the longest time without cancer coming back.
• Dara-VRD (Daratumumab + bortezomib + lenalidomide + steroids) helped improve both survival and remission rates.
• Dara-KRD (Daratumumab + carfilzomib + lenalidomide + steroids) and Dara-CRD (Daratumumab + cyclophosphamide + lenalidomide + steroids) also showed strong results.

What this means:

Daratumumab is even more effective when combined with the right drugs. The combinations listed above may offer better chances of remission, longer survival, and better control of multiple myeloma, especially for people starting treatment for the first time.

 

 

"Subcutaneous daratumumab monotherapy lowers the risk of progression to active multiple myeloma or death"

Source

Nierengarten, M.B. (2025), Subcutaneous daratumumab monotherapy lowers the risk of progression to active multiple myeloma or death. Cancer, 131: e35856. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35856 May 16, 2025. 

Overview

A large clinical trial (called the AQUILA trial) has shown that treating high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma early with subcutaneous daratumumab can delay or even prevent the cancer from becoming active. It also appears to help patients live longer, compared to the current standard approach of “watch and wait.”

Key Findings:

• Patients who got daratumumab had a 51% lower risk of their disease progressing or leading to death than those who were just monitored.
• After 5 years, 63.1% of daratumumab patients were still free of active disease, compared to 40.8% of those under active monitoring.
• Fewer people in the daratumumab group died during the study (7.7%) than in the monitoring group (13.3%).

About the Study:

• 390 people with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma were enrolled.
• Half were given daratumumab as a single treatment (subcutaneous injection); the other half were just closely monitored.
• Most people who stopped treatment did so because their disease progressed.

Side Effects:

Serious side effects were rare. High blood pressure was the most common serious issue, affecting 5.7% of daratumumab patients.

Why This Matters:

This research suggests that early treatment with daratumumab in people with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma may:

• Delay the need for more intensive treatment later
• Prevent damage to organs
• Help patients live longer

Experts stress that choosing the right patients—those most at risk of progressing—is key to making early treatment effective. More studies are underway, but these results support considering early treatment for patients at high risk. Talk to your doctor to see if this approach may be right for you

 

 

"Numb chin syndrome as initial manifestation of multiple myeloma: correlation of clinical and radiographic findings"

Source

Binnal A, Kat J, Badabaan G, Davila CE, Gohel A. Numb chin syndrome as initial manifestation of multiple myeloma: correlation of clinical and radiographic findings. Quintessence Int. 2025 May 16;0(0):0. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6217927. May 16, 2025. 

Overview

Common symptoms of multiple myeloma include:

• Bone pain
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Feeling weak or tired
• Unexplained weight loss

This report highlights two patients whose first symptom of multiple myeloma was numbness in the chin or lip, a condition known as numb chin syndrome. Scans of the jawbone (using CBCT imaging) revealed unusual areas that helped doctors recognize the possibility of cancer. Follow-up tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed the diagnosis.

Why This Matters:

Although numb chin syndrome is rare, it can be an important early sign of multiple myeloma. Recognizing this symptom early may help doctors diagnose the disease sooner, which can lead to better outcomes.

 

 

"Prognostic value and kinetic patterns of measurable residual disease following tandem autologous/allogeneic transplant in newly diagnosed myeloma patients"

Source

Terra, R., Thiant, S., Claveau, JS. et al. Prognostic value and kinetic patterns of measurable residual disease following tandem autologous/allogeneic transplant in newly diagnosed myeloma patients. Bone Marrow Transplant (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02626-x  May 17, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at whether measuring measurable residual disease (MRD) with very sensitive tests can help predict if multiple myeloma will come back after a stem cell transplant from a donor (called allogeneic or “allo” transplant).

What the Study Did:

Researchers followed 39 patients under age 50 who had high-risk multiple myeloma. All received a tandem transplant—first an autologous transplant (using their own stem cells), then an allogeneic (all) transplant (using donor cells). Afterward, patients received a drug called Velcade® (bortezomib) as maintenance treatment.

Doctors tested their bone marrow for tiny amounts of leftover myeloma (MRD) before and after transplant and then every 3 months for 2 years. Importantly, the MRD results were used only for monitoring—not to guide treatment decisions.

What the Study Found:

• Patients who still had MRD before or 4 months after the allo transplant were much more likely to have their cancer return.
• MRD positivity before transplant was linked to a 3 times higher risk of relapse.
• MRD positivity 4 months after transplant was linked to a 5–11 times higher risk of relapse, depending on the analysis.
• The more leftover cancer cells found, the lower the chance of achieving a deep treatment response.

Why It Matters

Even when patients receive aggressive treatment like an allo transplant, tiny traces of myeloma in the bone marrow can predict if the disease might come back. These results suggest that high-sensitivity MRD testing may be a powerful tool for monitoring patients and could help guide future treatment strategies.

For now, MRD testing after transplant isn't used to change treatment, but this study shows its strong potential to do so in the future.

 

 

"Cytogenetic and Molecular Aberrations at Diagnosis and in Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Beenu Thakral, Anjanaa Vijayanarayanan, L. Jeffrey Medeiros, Pei Lin, Cytogenetic and Molecular Aberrations at Diagnosis and in Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma, Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, 2025, 150915, ISSN 0740-2570, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semdp.2025.150915. May 17, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma is a complex blood cancer that makes up about 10% of all blood-related cancers. One reason it’s hard to treat is that the disease is genetically very different from patient to patient.

Key Points:

• Genetic testing matters: Basic tests like karyotyping only find changes in about one-third of patients. But more advanced tests, like FISH and next-generation sequencing, can detect genetic changes in over 90% of patients—especially when they look at myeloma cells specifically.
• Common mutations: The most common gene mutations involve the MAP kinase pathway, which includes genes like KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF. These changes help the cancer grow and are found in up to 40% of patients.
• High-risk changes: One of the most dangerous changes is when both copies of the TP53 gene are damaged. This is more common in relapsed or hard-to-treat myeloma and linked to shorter survival.
• Plasma cell leukemia (PCL): There are two types. “De novo” PCL often has MYC gene changes or a specific gene switch called t(11;14). In contrast, secondary PCL, which develops from earlier myeloma, more often has a deletion in chromosome 17p.
• How the cancer changes over time: Myeloma often starts with a single group of abnormal cells that can multiply and develop new mutations over time. This creates a mix of different myeloma cells in one person, which is called clonal heterogeneity.

Why This Matters:

Because multiple myeloma can change and evolve, genetic testing needs to happen regularly over time, not just at diagnosis. These tests help doctors understand how your cancer is changing and choose treatments that are more likely to work.

Knowing the genetic makeup of your myeloma can help improve treatment and outcomes.

 

 

"A comprehensive analysis of bone marrow-derived cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma patients with extramedullary disease"

Source

Xu, J., Yang, H., Huang, J. et al. A comprehensive analysis of bone marrow-derived cytogenetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma patients with extramedullary disease. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 151, 169 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06223-9 May 18, 2025. 

Overview

Extramedullary disease (EMD) is a serious complication of multiple myeloma (MM). It happens when myeloma cells spread outside the bone marrow into other parts of the body. EMD is more aggressive and harder to treat than typical myeloma.

What This Study Looked At:

Researchers reviewed 41 studies that included over 9,400 patients with multiple myeloma. About 1 in 3 patients (32%) had EMD. The study compared genetic differences between patients with and without EMD.

Key Findings:

Patients with EMD were more likely to have certain high-risk genetic changes, especially:

• Deletion of 13q/RB1 (found in 32%)
• Gain of 1q21 (30%)
• Deletion of 17p/p53 (14%)
• t(4;14) gene switch (14%)
• Patients with EMD were less likely to have:
• Hyperdiploidy (extra chromosomes, usually a favorable sign)
• t(11;14) (a gene change that sometimes responds well to certain drugs)

Why This Matters:

Knowing which genetic changes are more common in people with EMD may help doctors:

• Better predict who is at risk
• Personalize treatment plans
• Understand why EMD behaves more aggressively

The study also shows that genetic testing is important not just for diagnosis, but also for monitoring how the disease may change over time.

Genetic differences may help explain why EMD is more aggressive, and understanding these differences may point the way toward better, more targeted treatments in the future

 

 

"Development and validation of a multiple myeloma diagnostic model based on systemic lupus erythematosus-associated genes and identification of specific genes"

Source

Liu, Y., Liu, S. Development and validation of a multiple myeloma diagnostic model based on systemic lupus erythematosus-associated genes and identification of specific genes. Discov Onc 16, 803 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02555-7 May 18, 2025

Overview

Researchers are learning more about how systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)—a long-term autoimmune disease—may be connected to multiple myeloma (MM). While MM is a cancer of the plasma cells and is not curable, doctors have noticed that some patients with SLE also develop MM. This study looked at why that might be.

What the Study Did:

• Researchers used computer tools (bioinformatics and machine learning) to study large sets of genetic data from people with MM and SLE.
• They looked for genes that were active in both diseases to find possible links.
• They also tested many different machine learning models to find the best way to identify MM in patients with SLE.

What They Found:

• 63 genes were linked to both MM and SLE. Some were more active, while others were less active.
• 7 of these genes are already known to be involved in MM.
• One gene in particular—H2BC5—stood out. High levels of H2BC5 were linked to a greater risk of MM in people with lupus.
• The researchers suggest H2BC5 might be a useful marker for early MM detection in SLE patients.

Why This Matters:

This study may help doctors spot multiple myeloma earlier in people who have lupus. It also opens the door for more research on personalized treatments that target the shared causes of both diseases.

A new gene marker, H2BC5, may help doctors better diagnose and treat MM in people with lupus.

 

 

"Isatuximab, Carfilzomib, and Dexamethasone Combined With Late Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Synergistic Strategy for First Relapse Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Della Pepa, R., Leone, A., Avilia, S. and Pane, F. (2025), Isatuximab, Carfilzomib, and Dexamethasone Combined With Late Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Synergistic Strategy for First Relapse Multiple Myeloma. Eur J Haematol. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.14436 May 19, 2025. 

Overview

A recent real-world study from Italy explored how combining a second stem cell transplant with the drug combo isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone (Isa-KD) might benefit people whose multiple myeloma has come back after initial treatment.

What the Study Looked At:

• The team treated five patients with Isa-KD when their myeloma relapsed for the first time.
• All had received a first autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and lenalidomide maintenance in the past.
• After the first relapse, they got four cycles of Isa-KD, then had a second ASCT, followed by more Isa-KD as maintenance therapy.

What They Found:

• All five patients improved after the second transplant:
  • 3 patients in complete remission (CR) improved to stringent complete remission (sCR).
  • 2 patients in partial remission improved to complete remission.
• The treatment seemed to lead to stronger and longer-lasting responses.
• After 1 year, all patients were still alive and had no signs of disease progression.
• Some side effects occurred—mainly low platelet counts after the transplant, which led to lower doses or treatment delays. But there were no serious infections or deaths due to the treatment.

What It Means:

This early research suggests that combining Isa-KD with a second stem cell transplant may offer strong benefits for people with relapsed multiple myeloma, especially those at high risk. However, because only five patients were studied, and the follow-up time was short, more research is needed to understand long-term outcomes and safety.

This treatment combination shows promise, but larger studies are needed to confirm how well it works over time.

 

 

"Engineering anti-BCMA CAR T cells for enhancing myeloma killing efficacy via apoptosis regulation"

Source

Kimman, T., Cuenca, M., Tieland, R.G. et al. Engineering anti-BCMA CAR T cells for enhancing myeloma killing efficacy via apoptosis regulation. Nat Commun 16, 4638 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59818-8 May 19, 2025. 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy has shown promise in treating multiple myeloma, but it doesn’t always lead to long-lasting remission. One reason is that some myeloma cells resist dying, even after being attacked by CAR T cells.

In this study, researchers found a way to make CAR T cells better at killing myeloma cells by helping them trigger cell death (apoptosis) more effectively.

What They Did:

• They modified anti-BCMA CAR T cells by adding a special fusion protein called granzyme B-NOXA.
• This protein helps weaken a defense mechanism used by cancer cells, allowing them to die more easily when attacked by CAR T cells.

• How It Works:

• The NOXA protein blocks MCL-1, a protein that helps myeloma cells survive.
• The modified CAR T cells deliver NOXA directly into the myeloma cells, making the treatment more effective at killing cancer cells.

What It Means:

• This lab-based research shows a promising new way to improve CAR T-cell therapy. If successful in human trials, it could help patients with myeloma respond better and stay in remission longer.
• Enhancing CAR T cells with granzyme B-NOXA may boost their cancer-killing power and could lead to more durable treatment results in the future.

 

 

"BCMA/GPRC5D bispecific CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease: a single-center, single-arm, phase 1 trial"

Source

Yao, H., Ren, Sh., Wang, Lh. et al. BCMA/GPRC5D bispecific CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease: a single-center, single-arm, phase 1 trial. J Hematol Oncol 18, 56 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-025-01713-2 May 19, 2025.  

Overview

For patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who also have extramedullary disease (EMD)—when myeloma spreads outside the bone marrow—treatment options are limited and outcomes are often poor.

In a small phase 1 clinical trial, researchers tested a new CAR T-cell therapy that targets two proteins on myeloma cells: BCMA and GPRC5D. This dual-targeted approach aims to attack the cancer more effectively.

Key Findings:

• 9 patients received the therapy (3 others were unable to proceed due to disease worsening or death).
• All 9 patients showed a positive response, with nearly half (44%) achieving complete remission.
• The most common side effects were low blood counts (anemia, low white cells, low platelets).
• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS)—a common side effect of CAR T therapy—occurred in about 67% of patients, but all were mild (grade 1 or 2).
• No serious nerve-related side effects (neurotoxicity) were reported.
• After one year, 60% were still alive, and 63% had no signs of their cancer getting worse.
• Because the study follow-up is still short, researchers haven’t yet reached the average time patients lived without disease progression.

What This Means:

This early study suggests that BCMA/GPRC5D dual-target CAR T-cell therapy may be a powerful new option for patients with aggressive multiple myeloma, especially those with EMD. Larger studies are needed to confirm these promising results.

This new treatment could offer hope for people with hard-to-treat myeloma and may become part of future care if proven effective in more patients.

 

 

"Prognostic value of the expression of CD27 and CD117 in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients"

Source

Si, X., Zhao, J., Song, Y. et al. Prognostic value of the expression of CD27 and CD117 in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. BMC Immunol 26, 40 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12865-025-00719-2 May 19, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at 160 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma to find out whether two markers on plasma cells—CD27 and CD117—can help predict how well patients will do over time.

What Are CD27 and CD117?

• CD27 helps regulate how plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) grow and change.
• CD117 is involved in helping blood cells survive and grow.

Doctors used flow cytometry to check if these markers were present before treatment started.

What the Study Found:

• Patients without CD27 had more aggressive disease, with more myeloma cells in the bone marrow, lower red blood cell counts, and worse lab results.
• Patients with CD27 had a much longer time before their cancer came back (a median of 78 months vs. 33 months).
• CD117 by itself wasn’t linked to better outcomes, but when patients had both CD27 and CD117, they did the best:
  • Slower disease progression
  • Better response to treatment
  • Fewer high-risk genetic features
• CD27 was confirmed as an independent sign of better prognosis, even when other risk factors were considered.
• Patients with low platelet counts were more likely to have worse outcomes.

What This Means:

Testing for CD27 and CD117 in newly diagnosed myeloma patients may help doctors better predict prognosis and guide treatment decisions. People whose myeloma cells express both markers may have a higher chance of long-term remission and better overall outcomes.

CD27 and CD117 could be useful tools to help personalize care and identify patients with a more favorable outlook.

 

 

"Integrating single-cell and bulk RNA profiles to uncover glutamine metabolism’s role in prognosis and immune dynamics in multiple myeloma"

Source

Zhao, F., Che, F. Integrating single-cell and bulk RNA profiles to uncover glutamine metabolism’s role in prognosis and immune dynamics in multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 25, 887 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14239-0 May 19, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) affects people differently. Some respond well to treatment, while others do not. Scientists are now looking at how glutamine metabolism—how cancer cells use the nutrient glutamine—may help explain these differences.

What Was Studied?

Researchers analyzed genetic data from large patient databases using advanced tools, including single-cell sequencing. They focused on glutamine metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) to see if these genes could:

• Predict how aggressive the disease might be
• Act as new treatment targets
• Help existing treatments work better

Key Findings:

• Researchers identified 51 GMRGs linked to patient outcomes and built a 10-gene signature to group patients by risk level.
• These genes were involved in important cancer processes, including immune system function, cell growth, and tumor signaling.
• Three genes—DLD, SFT2D2, and UBA2—were especially active in myeloma patients and helped cancer cells grow.
• When scientists "turned off" the DLD and UBA2 genes in lab models, myeloma cells became more sensitive to treatment.

What This Means:

Two genes—DLD and UBA2—may be important markers of disease severity and could help doctors better predict outcomes for people with multiple myeloma. These genes may also be targets for new treatments or used to boost the effects of existing drugs.

This research shows that certain genes tied to how cancer cells use nutrients like glutamine could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for multiple myeloma in the future.

 

 

"SYK identified by bioinformatics analysis promotes the proliferation of multiple myeloma"

Source

Deng, J., Li, P., Li, S., Liang, F., Hong, M., Zhang, T., … Wang, H. (2025). SYK identified by bioinformatics analysis promotes the proliferation of multiple myeloma. Expert Review of Hematology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17474086.2025.2505724 May 20, 2025. 

Overview

Even though treatments for multiple myeloma (MM) have improved, many patients still face relapse or become resistant to therapy. That’s why researchers are working to find new ways to treat the disease.

What Did the Study Look At?

Scientists used gene analysis tools to study data from MM patients and identify genes that might play a key role in how the cancer grows. They focused on SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase)—a gene involved in immune cell signaling.

What They Found:

• SYK was highly active in myeloma cells and linked to worse outcomes.
• A drug that blocks SYK (called BAY61-3606) was tested in lab-grown myeloma cells and mice.
• The drug slowed cancer cell growth, caused the cells to stop dividing, and triggered cell death.
• In mice, the drug also slowed tumor growth without major side effects.

Why It Matters:

These findings suggest that targeting SYK could be a new and effective way to treat multiple myeloma, especially for patients who stop responding to current therapies.

Bottom line: Blocking the SYK gene may help stop myeloma from growing and spreading. More research is needed, but this discovery could lead to future treatment options for people with relapsed or refractory MM.

 

 

"Practical Guidance on the Clinical Management of Belantamab Mafodotin for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Recommendations from the Middle East and North Africa"

Source

Meral Beksaç, Esra Sahli, Ahmed Rabea, Guray Saydam, Anil Tombak, Ahmad Alhuraiji, Enas Yahya Mutahar, Mohamed Hosny, Ayman Alhejazi, Mervat Mattar, Mehmet Sinan Dal, Mahmoud Marashi, Melis Palamar, Practical Guidance on the Clinical Management of Belantamab Mafodotin for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Recommendations from the Middle East and North Africa Expert Panel, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.019. May 20, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is becoming more common in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and it remains a major cause of death in the region. Treating MM is difficult because many patients relapse or stop responding to treatment. In MENA, limited access to newer drugs makes this even more challenging.

One promising new therapy is Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin), a first-in-its-class treatment that targets BCMA, a protein found on myeloma cells. It has shown strong results in recent clinical trials (DREAMM-7 and DREAMM-8) for patients with relapsed or hard-to-treat MM.

However, eye-related side effects—like blurry vision and dry eyes—are common with this drug. These issues are linked to one of its active components, which affects not just cancer cells but healthy eye cells as well.

Because the drug is under review in several countries, a team of 13 medical experts from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait came together to create practical guidance for doctors. Their goal: help healthcare providers prevent and manage these eye side effects, so patients can safely benefit from the treatment.

Bottom line: Belantamab mafodotin is a promising treatment for relapsed myeloma, but managing its eye-related side effects is key—especially in regions with fewer treatment options. Regional expert advice will help support safer use of the drug in MENA.

 

 

"Visfatin promotes multiple myeloma cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis by inducing IL-6 production via NF-κB pathways"

Source

Tie, W., Ma, T., Liu, J. et al. Visfatin promotes multiple myeloma cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis by inducing IL-6 production via NF-κB pathways. Discov Onc 16, 826 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02682-1 May 20, 2025.  

Overview

A recent study looked at a protein called visfatin, which is involved in inflammation, stress, and cell survival. Until now, scientists weren’t sure what role visfatin played in multiple myeloma (MM).

In this study, researchers found that visfatin levels were higher in the bone marrow of MM patients compared to people without MM. They also discovered that visfatin helped myeloma cells grow and survive, both in lab tests and in mice.

One key finding: visfatin increased the production of IL-6, a molecule known to fuel myeloma growth. This effect was linked to the NF-κB signaling pathway, which helps control inflammation and cancer cell survival.

Importantly, when researchers blocked visfatin, IL-6 levels went down, and the cancer cells stopped growing as quickly.

Bottom line: Visfatin may play an important role in helping myeloma grow. Blocking visfatin could become a new way to treat MM in the future by cutting off a key source of cancer cell support.

 

 

"A phase 2 trial of VRD induction for transplant-eligible Japanese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma"

Source

Tsutsumi, I., Yamamoto, M., Fujio, T. et al. A phase 2 trial of VRD induction for transplant-eligible Japanese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Int J Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-025-04010-3 May 20, 2025.   

Overview

A recent study in Japan looked at how well a common treatment combination—bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (called VRD)—works for people who are newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma and are eligible for a stem cell transplant.

In this small study, patients received 4 cycles of VRD, followed by stem cell collection and a high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant.

Here's what the study found:

• 17 out of 23 patients finished the VRD treatment, but some had to stop early due to serious side effects.
• About 1 in 4 patients saw their cancer nearly or completely disappear after VRD (called a complete or near-complete response).
• Half of the patients needed their medication doses reduced due to side effects.
• For those who were able to complete treatment, their quality of life didn’t get worse.

This treatment can be effective, but it may cause serious side effects in some patients. More research is needed to find the best dose and schedule, especially for Japanese patients, to make it safer and easier to tolerate.

 

 

"Peripheral neuropathy associated with immunomodulatory drugs: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database"

Source

Liang, C., Zhang, X., Zhou, L. et al. Peripheral neuropathy associated with immunomodulatory drugs: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database. Int J Clin Pharm (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-025-01925-z May 20, 2025.   

Overview

Peripheral neuropathy—nerve damage that causes pain, tingling, or numbness—is a known side effect of some treatments for multiple myeloma. A recent study looked at how often this happens with three common myeloma drugs: Thalomid® (thalidomide), Revlimid® (lenalidomide), and Pomalyst® (pomalidomide).

Using data from a large U.S. safety database, researchers found:

• Thalidomide had the highest percentage of nerve damage reports (about 4.2% of cases).
• Lenalidomide and pomalidomide had lower rates, but still showed a link to nerve damage.
• Most cases happened in patients between ages 51 and 74.
• Both men and women were affected at similar rates.

Nerve damage is a moderate concern for patients taking these medications. If you're on one of these treatments, tell your healthcare team right away if you feel numbness, tingling, or pain. Early action can help manage symptoms. More research is needed to better understand who’s at the highest risk.

 

 

"Genomic landscape of multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions"

Source

Alberge, JB., Dutta, A.K., Poletti, A. et al. Genomic landscape of multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. Nat Genet (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02196-0  May 21, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have developed a new way to identify which patients with early-stage multiple myeloma (like MGUS or smoldering myeloma) are most likely to progress to active disease.

In a study of over 1,000 patients, including 218 with early-stage disease, scientists used genetic data to find key mutations and DNA changes linked to disease progression. They created a simple score—called the “MM-like” score—that helps place a patient on a scale from low risk to high risk for developing full-blown myeloma.

This new score could:

• Help doctors monitor patients more closely if they’re at higher risk.
• Offer new insights into how and when myeloma starts in the body.
• Improve decisions about when to begin treatment.

Genome sequencing may soon help doctors spot which early-stage myeloma patients need closer follow-up or early care—before symptoms begin.

 

 

"Targeting transcription-replication conflicts using G-quadruplexes stabilizers in multiple myeloma"

Source

Laure Dutrieux, Sara Ovejero, Antoine Guillemin, Miss Leriem Zellagui, Elke De Bruyne, Catharina Muylaert, Lien Van Hemelrijck, Yea-Lih Lin, Elle Loughran, Armelle Choquet, Talha Magat, Soumya Bouchouika, Caroline Bret, Guilhem Requirand, Nicolas Robert, Laure Vincent, Guillaume Cartron, Charles Herbaux, Raphaël Rodriguez, Michel Cogné, Eric Rivals, Jean-Christophe Andrau, Alexandre David, Philippe Pasero, Jérôme Moreaux; Targeting transcription-replication conflicts using G-quadruplexes stabilizers in multiple myeloma. Blood Neoplasia 2025; 2 (2): 100072. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bneo.2025.100072  May 21, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells are under constant stress as they work overtime to make antibodies. This stress can cause problems when their DNA is copied, a process called replication stress. When DNA copying (replication) and gene activity (transcription) happen at the same time, they can clash, creating transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs). These conflicts can help myeloma grow and become resistant to treatment.

Researchers have found that myeloma cells show more of these TRCs than normal plasma cells. They created a TRC score—a gene signature that helps predict which patients may have more aggressive disease. People with high TRC scores often have worse outcomes but may respond to treatments that increase these TRCs in cancer cells.

One such treatment is a drug called pyridostatin (PDS), which causes even more stress in already overworked myeloma cells. In lab tests, PDS:

• Damaged the DNA of myeloma cells,
• Stopped them from growing,
• Triggered cell death,
• And worked better when combined with standard drugs like melphalan, HDAC inhibitors, or BRD inhibitors.
• Importantly, PDS was more toxic to myeloma cells than to healthy bone marrow cells, suggesting it could be a safer and more effective treatment option.

Targeting replication stress with new drugs like PDS may help kill myeloma cells more effectively, especially in patients with more aggressive disease.

 

 

"HSPA9 contributes to tumor progression and ferroptosis resistance by enhancing USP14-driven SLC7A11 deubiquitination in multiple myeloma"

Source

Na Shen, Yuan Xia, Xuxing Shen, Wei Hua, Min Shi, Lijuan Chen, HSPA9 contributes to tumor progression and ferroptosis resistance by enhancing USP14-driven SLC7A11 deubiquitination in multiple myeloma, Cell Reports, Volume 44, Issue 5, 2025, 115720, ISSN 2211-1247, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115720. May 27, 2025. 

Overview

Ferroptosis is a special type of cell death that happens when cells are overloaded with certain fats that get damaged. While this process helps control some cancers, multiple myeloma (MM) cells often find ways to avoid it.

Researchers have discovered that a protein called HSPA9 is found at high levels in many people with myeloma—and those high levels are linked to worse outcomes. HSPA9 helps myeloma cells stay alive by protecting them from ferroptosis. It does this by working with other proteins, USP14 and SLC7A11, to stop the cell death process.

In lab tests, blocking USP14 with a drug called IU1 made it easier for myeloma cells to go through ferroptosis. This helped slow tumor growth in animal models.

What this means: Scientists have uncovered a pathway—HSPA9–USP14–SLC7A11—that myeloma cells use to escape death. Targeting this pathway could be a new way to treat myeloma by making the cancer cells more vulnerable to ferroptosis.

 

 

"CT-SEGMENTED BONE SUV IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ¹⁸F-FDG AND ⁶⁸GA-PSMA PET/CT"

Source

Alexandre Mercuri Barbosa, Maria Emília Seren Takahashi, Stephan Pinheiro Macedo Souza, Edna Marina Souza, Sérgio Querino Brunetto, Cármino Antonio de Souza, Irene Gyongyver Heidemarie Lorand-Metze, Celso Darío Ramos, CT-SEGMENTED BONE SUV IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ¹⁸F-FDG AND ⁶⁸GA-PSMA PET/CT, Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Volume 47, Supplement 1, 2025, 103803, ISSN 2531-1379, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.htct.2025.103803. May 2025.  

Overview

A recent study looked at how two different types of PET/CT scans—FDG PET/CT and PSMA PET/CT—compare in people with multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer that often affects the bones.

FDG PET/CT is commonly used to find active cancer by tracking sugar use in the body. PSMA PET/CT, often used for prostate cancer, can also detect changes in blood vessel growth that occur in many tumors, including myeloma.

What the study found:

• FDG PET/CT showed higher average activity across the bones overall.
• PSMA PET/CT showed higher peak activity in certain spots, which may reveal different tumor behavior.
• The two scans did not always match up, suggesting they may be highlighting different features of the disease.

Why this matters:

Using both scans together may give doctors a more complete picture of how myeloma is behaving, especially in the bones. This could help with diagnosis, tracking treatment, and possibly predicting how the disease will respond to therapy.

 

 

"CCR1 inhibition sensitizes multiple myeloma cells to glucocorticoid therapy"

Source

Bert Luyckx, Maaike Van Trimpont, Fien Declerck, Eleni Staessens, Annick Verhee, Sara T’Sas, Sven Eyckerman, Fritz Offner, Pieter Van Vlierberghe, Steven Goossens, Dorien Clarisse, Karolien De Bosscher, CCR1 inhibition sensitizes multiple myeloma cells to glucocorticoid therapy, Pharmacological Research, Volume 215, 2025, 107709, ISSN 1043-6618, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107709. May 2025. 

Overview

Steroids like dexamethasone are a key part of the treatment for multiple myeloma. But over time, some myeloma cells become resistant to them. A new study has found a possible reason—and a way to fight back.

Researchers discovered that a protein called CCR1, along with its partner, CCL3, may help myeloma cells resist the effects of steroids. By blocking CCR1 with a drug called BX471, scientists were able to make dexamethasone work better in lab-grown myeloma cells, patient samples, and mice with myeloma.

What does this mean?

• Blocking CCR1 made the myeloma cells more likely to die from steroid treatment.
• This approach may help reverse resistance to steroids in people whose disease has stopped responding.

More research is needed, but this study offers hope that combining a CCR1 blocker with dexamethasone could improve treatment results in the future.

 

 

"Anti-tumor efficacy of Bi-specific antibody complexed gamma delta T cells against multiple myeloma"

Source

S. Hyun, S. Ahn, S. Kim, S. Jung, H. Cho, H. Sohn, T. Kim, Anti-tumor efficacy of Bi-specific antibody complexed gamma delta T cells against multiple myeloma, Cytotherapy, Volume 27, Issue 5, Supplement, 2025, Pages S179-S180, ISSN 1465-3249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.03.361. May 2025. 

Overview

Current treatments for multiple myeloma can help control the disease, but relapse and leftover cancer cells (called minimal residual disease) are still common challenges. A new study is testing a next-generation approach using a special type of immune cell called γδ T cells combined with bispecific antibodies to better attack myeloma cells.

γδ T cells are unique because they can recognize and kill cancer cells without needing help from other immune system markers. To make these cells even more powerful, researchers linked them to antibodies that guide them straight to myeloma cells by targeting proteins like BCMA.

What the study found:

• In lab and mouse studies, this combined treatment—called ACT (adoptive cell therapy)—was able to slow down or stop tumor growth.
• In mice that didn’t get treatment, all died by day 28. But in the treated group, half were still alive at day 67.
• This therapy was able to kill myeloma cells while avoiding damage to healthy cells.

Why it matters:

This “off-the-shelf” approach (meaning it can be prepared in advance and used when needed) could one day offer a new treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma, especially for those who relapse or have disease that doesn’t fully go away.

More research is needed, but these results show that this cell therapy platform is a promising new direction in myeloma treatment.

 

 

"Resistance to immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma: the cereblon pathway and beyond"

Source

Teoh PJ, Koh MY, Mitsiades C, Gooding S, Chng WJ. Resistance to immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma: the cereblon pathway and beyond. Haematologica 2025;110(5):1074-1091; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.285636.  May 2025. 

Overview

Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) like Revlimid® (lenalidomide) and Pomalyst® (pomalidomide) have played a big role in treating multiple myeloma. But over time, many patients stop responding to these drugs. This is called IMiD resistance, and it’s a major challenge in treating relapsed or difficult-to-treat myeloma.

What causes IMiD resistance?

Researchers used to think that most IMiD resistance was caused by problems in a protein called cereblon (CRBN), which is the main target of these drugs. But newer studies show that CRBN issues may only explain part of the problem. Many myeloma cells develop other ways to avoid being killed by IMiDs.

Some of these other resistance mechanisms include:

• Changes in how genes are turned on or off (even outside the CRBN pathway)
• Genetic changes like chromosome 17p deletions
• Tumor cells evolving over time (called clonal selection)
• Changes in the tumor’s surroundings, including the immune system

Can we predict who will respond to IMiDs?

Researchers are working to find biomarkers—signs in your blood or bone marrow—that could predict whether IMiDs will work. Right now, CRBN is being studied as a possible biomarker, but we still don’t have reliable ways to measure how active it is in patients.

New technologies like single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics are helping scientists look at myeloma cells more closely, down to the level of individual cells. This could reveal how and why some cells survive treatment.

• What are researchers doing about it?

To better treat resistant myeloma, scientists are:

• Studying non-CRBN pathways that may help tumors resist treatment
• Testing new combinations of drugs to block multiple pathways at once
• Using AI and machine learning to match patients with the most effective drug combos
• Developing next-generation IMiDs, known as CELMoDs (like iberdomide and mezigdomide), which bind more strongly to CRBN and may work better than older IMiDs

In clinical trials, these newer drugs have helped some patients whose myeloma no longer responds to older IMiDs. But they don’t work for everyone, so it’s clear that more than one resistance pathway is involved.

Why this matters:

IMiDs transformed myeloma treatment, but resistance remains a big hurdle. Understanding how and why resistance happens will lead to better, more personalized treatment plans in the future. With ongoing research and new technologies, doctors hope to stay one step ahead of the disease and give patients more options when standard treatments stop working.

 

 

"Prognostic value of peripheral eosinophil counts in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma"

Source

Xu Chen, Xiaoyan Yue, Hao Jiang, Qianqian Yang, Jinwen Huang, Wenjue Pan, Xiujie Zhao, Xiufeng Yin, Panpan Wang, Liangning Hu, Xiaoli Guo, Fangfei Shao, Haowen Xiao. Prognostic value of peripheral eosinophil counts in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Cancer Biology & Medicine May 2025, 20240448; DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2024.0448 

Overview

When someone is first diagnosed with multiple myeloma, doctors try to estimate how the disease might behave—this is called risk stratification. It helps guide treatment decisions based on whether the cancer is likely to be slow-growing or aggressive.

Several systems exist to stage and predict the outlook for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients, like the Durie-Salmon system and International Staging System (ISS). While these have been helpful, they may not always provide the whole picture, especially now that new, more effective treatments are available. Many of these systems also rely on expensive tools like PET-CT scans or complex lab tests, which aren’t always easy to access.

What’s new?

In this study, researchers asked a simple question: Can a regular blood test help predict patient outcomes? They looked at routine blood data from 326 people with newly diagnosed myeloma, along with other common risk factors. Their goal was to see if simple, low-cost blood markers—especially those related to the immune system—might give doctors more insight into a patient’s prognosis.

Why this matters

If regular blood tests can help predict how aggressive a person’s myeloma might be, it could lead to:

• More personalized treatment plans
• Faster decision-making at diagnosis
• Lower healthcare costs by using tests that are already widely available

More research is still needed, but this study offers hope that a simple blood test could become a powerful tool in guiding myeloma care, especially in places where advanced tests are hard to get.

 

 

"Bone-independent extramedullary disease is associated with inferior overall survival in multiple myeloma patients: a single-center, real-world experience"

Source

Xu K, Agbuduwe C, Kanellias N, Wilson W, McMillan A, Papanikolaou X, Lee L, Popat R, Sive J, Rabin N, Yong K, Parcharidou A, Kyriakou C. Bone-independent extramedullary disease is associated with inferior overall survival in multiple myeloma patients: a single-center, real-world experience. Haematologica 2025;110(5):1182-1186; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286409.  May 2025.  

Overview

While most people with multiple myeloma have cancer cells in their bone marrow, a small number (about 3%) have something more unusual: bone-independent extramedullary disease, or BI-EMD. This means the cancer cells have spread to organs or tissues outside the bone marrow—like the lymph nodes, spleen, thyroid, pancreas, or liver—without being connected to nearby bones.

Why it’s important

BI-EMD is rare, but it’s linked to poorer outcomes compared to other types of myeloma. This study from University College Hospital in London looked at how BI-EMD affects newly diagnosed patients. Here's what they found:

• BI-EMD was present in 3.6% of newly diagnosed patients and another 2.4% of patients at relapse.
• The most common places BI-EMD showed up were the lymph nodes, spleen, and peritoneal nodules (a lining in the abdomen).
• Patients with BI-EMD had more bone-related issues like fractures or spinal cord pressure, even though their cancer was outside the bones.
• They also had lower response rates to treatment and shorter survival compared to patients without BI-EMD.
• Even though many BI-EMD patients received strong treatments, including stem cell transplants and novel drugs, the cancer often came back.

What makes BI-EMD different?

Cancer cells in BI-EMD seem to have changed in ways that help them survive outside the bone marrow. This could be due to:

• Changes in cell surface molecules that usually keep myeloma cells in the bone marrow
• Higher rates of genetic mutations, like deletion of part of chromosome 17 (17p), which is often linked to more aggressive disease

How is BI-EMD found?

Doctors usually detect BI-EMD using PET/CT scans, which are more sensitive than traditional tests. These scans help spot myeloma in places that may not be easy to biopsy or see on regular imaging.

What this means:

• BI-EMD is harder to treat, and it may mean the cancer is more aggressive.
• Doctors may need to use more intensive treatment early on.
• There is a need for new therapies designed specifically for patients with BI-EMD.
• Clinical trials are especially important for this group.

BI-EMD is a rare but serious form of myeloma that doesn’t behave like a typical bone-based disease. It’s linked to worse outcomes, even with strong treatment. Better ways to detect and treat this form of myeloma are urgently needed—and research is ongoing to find them.

 

 

"Serum B-cell maturation antigen could be a simple and accurate biomarker to identify and prognosticate monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma"

Source

Toho M, Ikeda D, Aikawa S, Misono C, Oura M, Fujii F, Sakuma H, Uehara A, Tabata R ikako, Narita K, Takeuchi M, Watari T, Otsuka Y, Matsue K. Serum B-cell maturation antigen could be a simple and accurate biomarker to identify and prognosticate monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma. Haematologica 2025;110(5):1207-1210; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2024.286842.  May 2025. 

Overview

Doctors use tests to monitor people with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)—both are early forms of multiple myeloma. One of the biggest challenges is knowing who will progress to full-blown multiple myeloma, and when.

A common tool called the 2/20/20 model uses three measurements to predict risk:

• M protein level in the blood
• The ratio of certain light chains in the blood
• The percentage of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow

Now, researchers are looking at a new blood marker called sBCMA to improve risk prediction. BCMA is a protein found on plasma cells. A part of this protein, called sBCMA, can be measured in the blood. The amount of sBCMA seems to go up as myeloma gets worse.

What This Study Found

Researchers in Japan studied blood samples from nearly 300 people with MGUS or SMM, and compared them to people with active myeloma and healthy volunteers. They found:

• People with higher sBCMA levels were more likely to develop multiple myeloma.
• In people with SMM, an sBCMA level above 100 ng/mL was a strong predictor of disease progression within 5 years.
• This blood test was more accurate at predicting disease progression than the 2/20/20 model.
• Unlike other tests, sBCMA does not require a bone marrow biopsy or advanced imaging—just a blood sample.

Why This Matters

This study shows that sBCMA could become a helpful tool for doctors to better identify who is at higher risk of developing multiple myeloma. That could mean:

• Closer monitoring for people with high sBCMA levels
• Possibly starting treatment earlier for those at greatest risk

More research is still needed to confirm these findings, but this simple blood test may offer a faster, easier way to track disease progression.

 

 

"Racial Health Disparity and Risk of Multiple Myeloma: Implications for Energy Balance Interventions"

Source

Amber J. Normann, Rebekah L. Wilson, Ellaney Matarese, Chuan Lu, Brett P. Ranieri, John R. Gardiner, Catherine R. Marinac, Christina M. Dieli-Conwright; Racial Health Disparity and Risk of Multiple Myeloma: Implications for Energy Balance Interventions. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 1 May 2025; 18 (5): 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-24-0199 

Overview

Black Americans are more likely to develop multiple myeloma than non-Hispanic White Americans. This difference may be partly due to inherited (genetic) factors, but lifestyle also plays an important role. 

This review looked at what we know about how lifestyle affects myeloma risk, especially in Black adults. It also explored how targeted diet and exercise programs—designed with culture and community in mind—might help lower that risk.

What the Research Shows

• Obesity is a key risk factor for multiple myeloma, and it can be reduced through healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Black adults face more barriers to physical activity and healthy eating, like limited access to grocery stores, safe places to exercise, or health care support.
• Most of the research on how diet and exercise lower cancer risk has focused on White populations. There's not enough research in Black communities, especially for myeloma.
• Culturally tailored programs—ones that respect community values and meet people where they are—have worked well in other health areas and could be adapted to lower myeloma risk.

A Call to Action

We need more research on how diet and exercise can help prevent myeloma in Black communities. This includes:

• Creating programs that are culturally relevant and based in the community
• Making resources like healthy food, fitness programs, and primary care easier to access
• Including more Black participants in clinical trials

Helping people maintain a healthy weight, build muscle, and stay active could lower the risk of multiple myeloma, especially when those efforts are made with community input and support.

 

 

"Multiple myeloma care, treatment patterns, and treatment durations in academic and community care settings"

Source

Boytsov, N., McGuiness, C. B., Zhou, Z., Huo, T., Montgomery, K., Kotowsky, N., & Chen, C. C. (2025). Multiple myeloma care, treatment patterns, and treatment durations in academic and community care settings. Future Oncology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2025.2504318  May 21, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at how people with multiple myeloma (MM) are treated in different healthcare settings—academic centers (like university hospitals), community clinics, or both—and how that affects treatment patterns, healthcare use, and costs.

What the Study Found

• Most people with myeloma get care in community clinics.
• These patients were generally older and had more health conditions than those treated only in academic hospitals.
• Many patients moved between settings.
• Some started treatment in community clinics but went to academic hospitals for specialized care, like stem cell transplants, and then returned to their local clinic.
• Different centers use different medications.
  • Academic centers used more proteasome inhibitors and steroids.
  • Community centers used more immunomodulatory drugs and steroids.
  • Stem cell transplants were much more common in academic hospitals.
• Treatment times were similar no matter where patients were treated.
• Costs were higher in academic hospitals than in community clinics.

What This Means

Even though advanced treatments may happen at big hospitals, most multiple myeloma care happens in community clinics. That means it’s important to improve support and resources in these local settings so that everyone gets high-quality care, no matter where they’re treated.

 

 

"Multiple myeloma care, treatment patterns, and treatment durations in academic and community care settings"

Source

Boytsov, N., McGuiness, C. B., Zhou, Z., Huo, T., Montgomery, K., Kotowsky, N., & Chen, C. C. (2025). Multiple myeloma care, treatment patterns, and treatment durations in academic and community care settings. Future Oncology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2025.2504318  May 21, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at how people with multiple myeloma (MM) are treated in different healthcare settings—academic centers (like university hospitals), community clinics, or both—and how that affects treatment patterns, healthcare use, and costs.

What the Study Found

• Most people with myeloma get care in community clinics.
• These patients were generally older and had more health conditions than those treated only in academic hospitals.
• Many patients moved between settings.
• Some started treatment in community clinics but went to academic hospitals for specialized care, like stem cell transplants, and then returned to their local clinic.
• Different centers use different medications.
  • Academic centers used more proteasome inhibitors and steroids.
  • Community centers used more immunomodulatory drugs and steroids.
  • Stem cell transplants were much more common in academic hospitals.
• Treatment times were similar no matter where patients were treated.
• Costs were higher in academic hospitals than in community clinics.

What This Means

Even though advanced treatments may happen at big hospitals, most multiple myeloma care happens in community clinics. That means it’s important to improve support and resources in these local settings so that everyone gets high-quality care, no matter where they’re treated.

 

 

"Retreatment with Anti-CD38-Based Combinations in Multiple Myeloma in Real-Life: Results from the Emmy Cohort Study"

Source

Alexis Talbot, Cyrille Hulin, Aurore Perrot, Margaret Macro, Karim Belhadj Merzoug, Mohamed Mohty, Arthur Bobin, Lionel Karlin, Salomon Manier, Laure Vincent, Abderrazak El Yamani, Wajed Abarah, Regis Kaphan, Thomas Chalopin, Daniel Ré, Adrienne de Labarthe, Olivier Fitoussi, Chanaz Lounis, Ronan Garlantezec, Olivier Decaux, Retreatment with Anti-CD38-Based Combinations in Multiple Myeloma in Real-Life: Results from the Emmy Cohort Study, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.015. May 21, 2025. 

Overview

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (aCD38), like daratumumab, are commonly used to treat multiple myeloma, especially in the early stages of treatment. But what happens if you need this type of treatment again later?

A study in France called EMMY looked at real-world outcomes for patients who were treated with aCD38 twice—once earlier in their treatment and then again later on.

What the Study Found

• 286 patients in the study had two rounds of aCD38-based treatment.
• On average, patients went about 5 months without their disease getting worse (this is called progression-free survival, or PFS).
• Patients who responded well to aCD38 the first time did much better the second time:
  • They stayed progression-free for almost 2 years (23.6 months).
  • Their overall survival (how long they lived after retreatment) was not yet reached, meaning many were still alive at the time of analysis.
• Patients who did not respond well the first time had poorer outcomes, with an average survival of 14.8 months after retreatment.

Why This Matters

This study suggests that being treated again with aCD38 can work well—but mainly for people who responded well to it the first time. If you’ve already had anti-CD38 therapy and it worked, your doctor might consider using it again later in your treatment.

More research is needed, especially as aCD38 treatments are now being used earlier in care. But for some patients, retreatment could be a useful option.

 

 

"Delphi Survey on Measurable Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma: Prevailing Practices and the Way Forward in India"

Source

Smeeta Gajendra, Tanima Dwivedi, Karthik Bommannan, Ranjit Kumar Sahoo, Nupur Das, Prashant Tembhare, Khaliqur Rahman, Ajay Gogia, Raja Pramanik, Nitin Dayal, Rakhee Kar, Jyoti Kotwal,  Sanjeev, Asish Rath, Diksha Dev, Ganesh Kumar Viswanathan, Man Updesh Singh Sachdeva, Mukul Aggarwal, Devasis Panda, Prashant Mehta, Sreejesh Sreedharanunni, Uday Yanamandra, Arun Kumar Arunachalam, Bhausaheb Bagal, Prabhat S. Malik, Anil Handoo, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Sameer Bakhshi, Atul Sharma, Deepak Kumar Mishra, Pankaj Malhotra, Lalit Kumar, Ritu Gupta, Delphi Survey on Measurable Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma: Prevailing Practices and the Way Forward in India, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025,ISSN 2152-2650,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.016. May 21, 2025. 

Overview

Measurable residual disease (MRD) testing is an important tool in managing multiple myeloma. It helps doctors find out if any cancer cells are left after treatment, even when scans and lab tests show no signs of disease. But in India, using MRD testing the right way still comes with challenges.

A group of 25 cancer experts in India—hematologists, pathologists, and oncologists—agreed on how MRD testing should be done. Here's what they decided:

What the Experts Agreed On

When to test: MRD should be checked after induction therapy (early treatment), before and after stem cell transplant, and once a year during maintenance therapy.

How to test: The first bone marrow sample should be tested within 24 hours using advanced flow cytometry (a high-tech lab tool).

Testing standards: Testing should be done by trained staff in a controlled lab setting, using a specific set of tools and techniques to ensure accurate results.

Challenges in India

Experts said there are still some roadblocks, like:

• Differences in how testing is done between hospitals
• Problems interpreting the results
• No national quality checks for MRD testing
• A need for better training in advanced lab methods

Why It Matters

Experts agree that being MRD-negative (no of cancer left) usually means a better chance of staying in remission and living longer. But right now in India, MRD test results are not yet used to change maintenance treatments, such as whether to continue or stop certain medications.

What’s Next?

This expert agreement will help improve MRD testing across India and shape future research, especially for high-risk patients and new types of treatments.

 

 

"Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma in Adolescents and Young Adults"

Source

Olafimihan, A., Nwachukwu, C., Jackson, I., Ogedegbe, O.J., Ntukidem, O.L., Fawehinmi, P., Shaka, H., Mba, B. and Farooqui, M.W. (2025), Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma in Adolescents and Young Adults. Eur J Haematol. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.14437 May 22, 2025. . 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) usually affects older adults, but some people are diagnosed before age 50. These younger patients are known as adolescents and young adults (AYA). Research shows that MM may behave differently in this group, but we still don’t know much about it.

A recent study looked at hospital records to learn more about how MM affects younger adults.

What the Study Found

• Out of nearly 184,000 hospital visits for MM, about 7.5% were for patients under age 50.
• More young patients were male, and fewer were non-Hispanic White, compared to older patients.
• Young adults had a lower risk of dying in the hospital than older adults.
• They were more likely to receive a stem cell transplant—a common treatment for MM.
• The risks of serious complications like blood clots or sepsis were similar between the two groups.

Why This Matters

This study helps show that younger people with MM often have better outcomes, but they’re still underrepresented in clinical trials. We need more research to understand how the disease affects them and how to best support their long-term health.

 

 

"Role of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma: Impact of Niches on Drug Resistance Mechanisms"

Source

Lijie Wang, Mingyue Shi, Andrew Y. Sung, C Cameron Yin, Yanliang Bai, Mingyi Chen, Role of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma: Impact of Niches on Drug Resistance Mechanisms, Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, 2025, 150916, ISSN 0740-2570, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semdp.2025.150916. May 22, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. It happens when plasma cells grow out of control. These cancerous cells can damage bones, kidneys, and other parts of the body. They also produce a harmful protein (called M-protein) that leads to symptoms like anemia, bone pain, and high calcium levels.

Treatments for MM have improved a lot in the last 20 years, helping many people live longer. But over time, many patients stop responding to treatment. This is called drug resistance, and it’s one of the biggest challenges in managing MM today.

A major reason for this resistance is the bone marrow microenvironment—the area in the bone marrow that surrounds and supports MM cells. This environment helps MM cells survive and even avoid the effects of treatment.

Researchers are working to better understand how this environment helps MM grow and resist treatment. Learning more about this could lead to new, more effective therapies.

 

 

"Ultrasensitive detection of circulating multiple myeloma cells by next-generation flow after immunomagnetic enrichment"

Source

Marta Lasa, Carmen Gonzalez, Laura Notarfranchi, Anastasiia Zherniakova, Diego Alignani, Leire Burgos, Maria José Calasanz, Paula Rodriguez-Otero, Jose J. Perez, Clara Gomez, Veronica Gonzalez-Calle, Felipe de Arriba, Luis Palomera Bernal, Miguel Angel Alvarez Rivas, Esther Clavero Sanchez, Enrique M. Ocio, Ana Pilar Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Sunil Lakhwani, Angela Ibañez, Albert Oriol, Anna Sureda, Laura Rosiñol, Christiane Siewert, Alberto Orfao, Juan-Jose Lahuerta, Joan Bladé, Maria-Victoria Mateos, Jesús F. San-Miguel, Maria-Teresa Cedena, Joaquin Martinez-Lopez, Noemi Puig, Bruno Paiva; Ultrasensitive detection of circulating multiple myeloma cells by next-generation flow after immunomagnetic enrichment. Blood 2025; blood.2025029234. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025029234 May 22, 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that starts in the bone marrow, where too many plasma cells grow out of control. These cancer cells can damage bones, kidneys, and other parts of the body. They also make an abnormal protein (called M-protein) that can lead to symptoms like anemia, high calcium levels, bone pain, and kidney problems.

Even though treatments have improved a lot in the past 20 years, many patients eventually stop responding to therapy. This is known as drug resistance.

One reason for this resistance is the bone marrow microenvironment—the area around the cancer cells in the bone marrow. This environment helps the cancer cells survive, grow, and resist treatment.

Scientists are working to understand how this environment protects cancer cells. Learning more about it may lead to new treatments that can break through resistance and help patients stay healthier for longer.

 

 

"CRISPR-Cas13d functional transcriptomics reveals widespread isoform-selective cancer dependencies on lncRNAs"

Source

Eugenio Morelli, Anil Aktas Samur, Domenico Maisano, Claire Gao, Vanessa Katia Favasuli, Dimitrios Papaioannou, Giovanni De Nola, Jonathan E Henninger, Na Liu, Marcello Turi, Pietro Folino, Laure Vreux, Michela Cumerlato, Liang Chen, Iannis Aifantis, Mariateresa Fulciniti, Kenneth C. Anderson, Abigail KR Lytton-Jean, Annamaria Gulla, Richard Young, Mehmet K. Samur, Nikhil C. Munshi; CRISPR-Cas13d functional transcriptomics reveals widespread isoform-selective cancer dependencies on lncRNAs. Blood 2025; blood.2025028746. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028746 May 22, 2025. 

Overview

Scientists are discovering that a special type of genetic material called long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays an important role in cancer, including multiple myeloma. These RNAs don’t make proteins, but they help control how cancer cells grow and survive.

Using a new tool called CRISPR-Cas13d, researchers were able to turn off hundreds of these lncRNAs in lab models to see which ones were essential for cancer cells to stay alive. Many of the lncRNAs they found were especially important in multiple myeloma, and some were also shared across other types of cancer.

One lncRNA, called SNHG6, was found in a part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum, where it helps protect the cell from stress. When SNHG6 was turned off, myeloma cells struggled to survive.

This research opens up new possibilities for treatments by targeting these hidden RNA molecules. The team also created an online database so other researchers can explore these findings and continue developing new therapies.

 

 

"Mitochondrial fission factor drives an actionable metabolic vulnerability in multiple myeloma"

Source

Cantafio MEG, Valentino I, Torcasio R, Ganino L, Veneziano C, Murfone P, Mesuraca M, Perrotta I, Tallarigo F, Agosti V, De Marco C, Pasqua T, Giallongo C, Cappello AR, Fiorillo M, Gentile M, Tibullo D, Viglietto G, Neri A, Amodio N. Mitochondrial fission factor drives an actionable metabolic vulnerability in multiple myeloma. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287526 [Early view]. May 22, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells are known for their ability to adapt and survive, even when faced with powerful cancer treatments. A new study shows that these cancer cells can shift their metabolism—or how they make and use energy—to resist therapy.

Researchers looked at how tiny structures in the cell called mitochondria (which produce energy) change shape and function in MM cells. A protein called MFF plays a key role in breaking apart mitochondria, and the study found that MM cells with higher levels of MFF tend to grow faster and be harder to treat.

By blocking MFF in lab models, scientists were able to slow down myeloma cell growth and make the cells more sensitive to treatment. They also found that lactate, a substance often made by cancer cells, works with MFF to help the cells resist certain drugs like Velcade® (bortezomib).

When researchers combined drugs that increase lactate levels with bortezomib, the result was a stronger effect against the cancer cells.

These findings suggest that targeting mitochondrial changes and energy use in myeloma cells—especially the role of MFF—could lead to new treatments that help overcome drug resistance and improve patient outcomes.

 

 

"Clinical and Epidemiological Insights into a Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Outbreak in Multiple Myeloma Patients"

Source

Timsit, S., Mellon, G., Forgeard, N., Mercier-Delarue, S., Mahjoub, N., Euzen, V., Harel, S., Elessa, D., Osinski, N., Diaz, E., Royer, B., Arnulf, B., Salmona, M. and Legoff, J. (2025), Clinical and Epidemiological Insights into a Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Outbreak in Multiple Myeloma Patients. Journal of Medical Virology, 97: e70411. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.70411 May 22, 2025. 

Overview

A recent outbreak of a virus called human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) affected patients in a hospital’s blood cancer unit. This virus usually causes cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, like those with multiple myeloma.

Between November 2022 and January 2023, 20 out of 113 patients in the hematology unit tested positive for HPIV-3. Most of them (80%) had multiple myeloma. More than half of these patients developed pneumonia, and the death rate in this group was 35%, much higher than the 3% death rate in patients who didn’t have the virus.

The virus was even found in the air in different areas of the unit, and genetic testing showed that all the cases came from the same virus strain. Once the hospital strengthened its infection control measures—like isolating patients and improving air safety—the outbreak was brought under control.

This study shows that HPIV-3 can spread quickly and cause serious illness in people with multiple myeloma. Regular testing and strong infection control steps are important to keep vulnerable patients safe.

 

 

"Real world outcomes with elotuzumab-based therapies for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma: a Mayo Clinic experience"

Source

Parrondo, R.D., Das, S., Sledge, H. et al. Real world outcomes with elotuzumab-based therapies for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma: a Mayo Clinic experience. Blood Cancer J. 15, 100 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01310-z May 23, 2025. Parrondo, R.D., Das, S., Sledge, H. et al. Real world outcomes with elotuzumab-based therapies for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma: a Mayo Clinic experience. Blood Cancer J. 15, 100 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01310-z May 23, 2025. . 

Overview

Empliciti® (elotuzumab, or Elo) is an immune-based drug used to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). It’s often combined with Revlimid® (lenalidomide) or Pomalyst® (pomalidomide) (both are immune-modulating drugs) and dexamethasone (a steroid). These combinations—called ERd (Elo + lenalidomide + dexamethasone) and EPd (Elo + pomalidomide + dexamethasone)—have shown success in past clinical trials like ELOQUENT 2 and 3. But those trials included patients who had fewer prior treatments and were not resistant to many drug classes.

This study looked at how well ERd and EPd worked in real-world patients treated at Mayo Clinic between 2016 and 2023. Most patients in this study had already tried several treatments—many were resistant to multiple types of therapy, including anti-CD38 antibodies like daratumumab, and were classified as triple-class refractory (TCR).

Key Takeaways:

• 135 patients were included: 30 received ERd and 105 received EPd.
• Patients in the ERd group generally had fewer signs of aggressive disease than those in the EPd group.
• EPd was modestly effective in patients who were heavily pretreated or resistant to pomalidomide, but these patients still had a short time before the disease progressed again (around 4–5 months).
• ERd showed better results, especially in patients who had received fewer than 4 previous treatments. These patients lived longer and had more time before their disease worsened.
• Patients who were not resistant to daratumumab or lenalidomide did better overall.

What This Means:

While Elo-based treatments can still help some patients, especially those with fewer prior therapies, they are less effective in patients who are heavily pretreated or drug-resistant. Today, there are newer and more powerful therapies available such as CAR T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and BCMA-targeted treatments. These treatments are more effective than ERd or EPd in most cases.

However, Elo-based regimens may still have a role:

• In places where newer therapies aren't available
• As a temporary option while waiting to access clinical trials or stem cell transplants

Researchers are also studying Elo in new combinations, including with next-generation drugs, to see if outcomes can be improved in the future.

 

 

"Comparative analysis of the performance of the large language models ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4 and Open AI-o1 in the field of Programmed Cell Death in myeloma"

Source

Kun, W., Bo, T., Yuntao, L. et al. Comparative analysis of the performance of the large language models ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4 and Open AI-o1 in the field of Programmed Cell Death in myeloma. Discov Onc 16, 870 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02648-3  May 23, 2025 

Overview

A recent study compared three advanced AI tools—ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, and Open AI-o1—to see how well they could answer expert-level questions about programmed cell death in multiple myeloma. This is an important area of research because it helps doctors understand how myeloma cells die—or resist dying—and guides treatment choices.

What Did the Study Do?

Doctors created 40 detailed questions based on top medical journals and official guidelines. These questions were asked individually to each AI tool. A group of blood cancer specialists reviewed the answers, rating them on accuracy, completeness, and clarity. They also checked how well each AI could improve its answer after being given feedback.

What Did the Study Find?

• Open AI-o1 gave the most accurate and complete answers. It was especially strong when asked about current medical guidelines.
• It made fewer mistakes than ChatGPT-3.5 or ChatGPT-4 and was better at fixing its mistakes when given feedback.
• 85% of cancer specialists found Open AI-o1 to be "highly satisfactory," compared to 60% for ChatGPT-4 and 45% for ChatGPT-3.5.

Why This Matters

Doctors often use many sources to make decisions. While AI is not a replacement for a trained specialist, tools like Open AI-o1 may help doctors find high-quality information faster—especially in complex cases like multiple myeloma.

Among the AI tools tested, Open AI-o1 gave the best answers about programmed cell death in multiple myeloma. It may one day become a helpful support tool for doctors making treatment decisions, although human judgment will always be essential.

 

 

"Health-related quality of life with daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone versus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone alone in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: analysis of the phase 3 OCTANS study"

Source

Fu, W., Bang, SM., Huang, H. et al. Health-related quality of life with daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone versus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone alone in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: analysis of the phase 3 OCTANS study. Ann Hematol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-025-06303-3 May 23, 2025 

Overview

The OCTANS study looked at how patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma—who couldn’t receive a stem cell transplant—felt during two types of treatment:

• D-VMP: Darzalex® (daratumumab) plus Velcade®(bortezomib), melphalan, and prednisone
• VMP: bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (without daratumumab)

Earlier results showed that D-VMP helped patients live longer without their cancer progressing. This part of the study looked at how each treatment affected patients’ quality of life.

What Did the Study Measure?

Researchers used two surveys to ask patients about their physical and emotional well-being, symptoms like nausea, and their ability to take part in daily activities. Patients filled out these surveys regularly during treatment and after their disease progressed.

What Did the Study Find?

• Patients in both groups generally felt better over time.
• D-VMP led to greater improvements in a few key areas:
• Overall health (at 9 months)
• Social functioning—how well patients could interact with others (at 12 months)
• Nausea and vomiting symptoms (also at 12 months)

Why This Matters

This study suggests that adding daratumumab to standard treatment may not only improve how long patients stay well, but also how well they feel during that time.

For transplant-ineligible Asian patients with multiple myeloma, D-VMP may offer a better quality of life than VMP alone, especially when it comes to social life and managing symptoms like nausea.

 

 

"Comparison of Immunohistochemistry With Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Assessment of CCND1 Rearrangement in Plasma Cell Myeloma"

Source

Chen, Maria Y. MD, PhD*,†; Rider, Anna B.; Ferry, Judith A. MD*,†; Hasserjian, Robert P. MD*,†; Nardi, Valentina MD*,†; Louissaint, Abner Jr MD, PhD*,†; Sohani, Aliyah R. MD*,†; Yuen, Lisa D. MD, PhD*,†. Comparison of Immunohistochemistry With Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Assessment of CCND1 Rearrangement in Plasma Cell Myeloma. The American Journal of Surgical Pathology ():10.1097/PAS.0000000000002421, May 23, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000002421 

Overview

More than half of people with multiple myeloma eventually relapse and need new treatment options. One promising drug is venetoclax, an oral therapy that works especially well in patients with a specific genetic feature called IGH::CCND1—found in a subtype of myeloma known as t(11;14).

To find this genetic change, doctors usually use a lab test called FISH, which looks at bone marrow samples. But FISH testing can take time, is expensive, and requires a very specific type of bone marrow sample.

This study looked at whether a simpler, faster, and cheaper test—called cyclin D1 IHC staining—could also accurately identify patients with IGH::CCND1. This test checks for high levels of a protein (cyclin D1) in the bone marrow, which is often linked to the IGH::CCND1 change.

What Did the Study Find?

• The researchers tested 135 bone marrow samples from patients with myeloma.
• The IHC test matched the FISH test results more than 90% of the time.
• The test correctly identified nearly all patients who had the IGH::CCND1 change—and just as importantly, it rarely gave a false positive.

Why This Matters

If FISH testing isn’t available—or doesn’t work well—the cyclin D1 IHC test can be a reliable backup. It can help doctors decide more quickly and affordably whether a patient may benefit from venetoclax.

For patients with relapsed myeloma, this new use of a common test could help identify the right treatment faster—especially when access to advanced testing is limited.

 

 

"TENT5/FAM46: An Enigmatic Family of Secretory Tuners"

Source

Lacidogna, D., Pennacchio, S. and Milan, E. (2025), TENT5/FAM46: An Enigmatic Family of Secretory Tuners. Traffic, 26: e70011. https://doi.org/10.1111/tra.70011 May 23, 2025. 

Overview

Scientists have discovered a small family of proteins, called TENT5, that help certain cells make and release important proteins. These TENT5 proteins (named A through D) are especially active in secretory cells—cells that send proteins out into the body, like bone cells, immune cells, and sperm-producing cells.

Each member of the TENT5 family has been linked to different health problems:

• TENT5A mutations can cause a rare bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta.
• TENT5C is often missing or changed in people with multiple myeloma, a cancer of antibody-producing plasma cells.
• TENT5D changes have been linked to male infertility.

TENT5 proteins work by protecting the instructions (mRNA) that cells need to make secreted proteins, especially those sent through the endoplasmic reticulum, the part of the cell that prepares proteins to leave the cell. They help make sure these instructions last long enough to be used, boosting the cell’s ability to send out proteins for things like bone strength, immune defense, or antibody production.

Researchers are now learning just how important TENT5 proteins are—not only in cancer and bone health, but also in fertility, immunity, and even stem cell function. While there’s still more to learn, scientists are excited about the possibility of targeting TENT5 proteins to help treat certain diseases, including multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Tackling myeloma bone disease: From pathophysiology to cutting-edge therapies"

Source

Sophie Roux, Françoise Debiais, Marie-Hélène Vieillard, Tackling myeloma bone disease: From pathophysiology to cutting-edge therapies, Blood Reviews, 2025, 101305, ISSN 0268-960X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.blre.2025.101305. May 24, 2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, cancer cells don’t just affect the blood. They also weaken the bones. This condition, called myeloma bone disease (MBD), happens because the normal process of breaking down and rebuilding bone gets out of balance. Too much bone is destroyed, and not enough new bone is made.

This bone damage happens when myeloma cells interact with the bone marrow environment, changing the way bone cells behave. For example:

• Osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone, become overactive due to signals like RANK/RANKL.
• At the same time, osteoblasts, the cells that build bone, are shut down by changes in Wnt signaling and other key pathways.

Researchers are working on new treatments that not only target the cancer itself but also help restore healthy bone remodeling. These include:

• Drugs that block signals that destroy bone
• Therapies that boost bone-building pathways
• MicroRNA-based approaches that may correct the imbalance

Some newer myeloma therapies may also improve bone health, though more research is needed to understand their full effects. Scientists continue to explore better ways to protect and rebuild bone in people living with myeloma.

 

 

"Monoclonal immunoglobulin measurement by mass spectrometry in patients with multiple myeloma and kidney failure: Analysis from the EuLITE trial"

Source

McIlroy, G., Giles, H.V., Rollins, A., Malin, G., Jones, L., Wright, N.J., Berlanga, O., North, S., Cook, M., Hutchison, C., Heyne, N., Weisel, K., Pinney, J., Harding, S., Cockwell, P. and Pratt, G. (2025), Monoclonal immunoglobulin measurement by mass spectrometry in patients with multiple myeloma and kidney failure: Analysis from the EuLITE trial. Br J Haematol. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20168 May 25, 2025. 

Overview

For people with multiple myeloma and serious kidney damage, it's harder for doctors to tell how well treatment is working. That’s because current blood tests may miss low levels of leftover myeloma protein or give false results due to how the kidneys filter these proteins.

A recent study looked at a newer testing method called mass spectrometry This technique can more accurately detect very small amounts of the specific myeloma protein in the blood—even when the kidneys aren't working well.

Researchers used stored blood samples from patients in the EuLITE trial, a study that involved people with newly diagnosed myeloma and kidney failure needing dialysis. They found that mass spectrometry:

• Detected leftover disease even when standard tests said the patient was in remission
• Was better at telling the difference between harmful and harmless proteins
• Worked well even in people with severe kidney problems

The study also looked at a newer version of MS called FLC-MS, which specifically targets free light chains—key markers in many cases of myeloma. This version showed even higher sensitivity in some patients.

Although the study included a small number of patients, the findings suggest that MS could become the new “gold standard” for monitoring treatment response in people with myeloma and kidney damage. It may also help detect early signs of related diseases, like AL amyloidosis or monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS).

More research is needed, but this test could offer hope for better, faster, and more accurate monitoring for patients with both myeloma and kidney disease.

 

 

"The progression of multiple myeloma is regulated by LILRB1 via the GATA2–SAGE1 pathway"

Source

Chen C, Zhou X, Cao L, Yang W, Weng L, Yuan J, et al. The progression of multiple myeloma is regulated by LILRB1 via the GATA2–SAGE1 pathway. Br J Haematol. 2025; 00: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.20144 May 25, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have found that a protein called LILRB1, which helps cancer cells avoid the immune system, is more active in people with multiple myeloma and is linked to shorter survival. Blocking LILRB1 made myeloma cells die more easily, improved response to treatment with bortezomib, and slowed tumor growth in mice. This suggests that targeting LILRB1 could lead to a new and more effective treatment option for people with multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Observation or treatment for smoldering multiple myeloma? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies"

Source

Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, I., Filippatos, C., Malandrakis, P. et al. Observation or treatment for smoldering multiple myeloma? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Blood Cancer J. 15, 104 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01312-x May 26, 2025. 

Overview

This new analysis shows that starting treatment early, rather than just watching and waiting, can help delay the progression of smoldering multiple myeloma (sMM), especially in people at higher risk. Patients who received early treatment had a much lower risk of developing active myeloma or dying compared to those who did not get treatment. Some also lived longer. However, early treatment came with a higher risk of serious side effects, so patients need to be closely monitored. These findings suggest that early treatment may be a good option for some people with sMM, but the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed.

 

 

"Attrition rates and treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma: real-world data over a 40-year period"

Source

Rodríguez-Lobato, L.G., de Daniel, A., Pereira, A. et al. Attrition rates and treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma: real-world data over a 40-year period. Blood Cancer J. 15, 103 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-025-01311-y May 26, 2025  

Overview

Over the past 40 years, treatments for multiple myeloma have improved, helping many patients live longer—especially after their first round of therapy. However, a major challenge remains: many patients, particularly older adults, are unable to move on to the next treatment after their first one fails. This is called attrition, and it still affects nearly half of patients over age 80. The study found that patients who achieve a complete response early on live much longer, highlighting the importance of using the most effective treatments as soon as possible.

 

 

"Impact of proteostasis workload on sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma"

Source

Sedlacek, J. Impact of proteostasis workload on sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma. Clin Exp Med 25, 176 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01713-z May 26, 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma cells produce large amounts of abnormal proteins, making them heavily reliant on systems that manage protein folding and breakdown. This is why proteasome inhibitors—drugs that block protein breakdown—are commonly used to treat the disease. While these drugs have improved treatment, they usually can’t cure myeloma because the cancer often develops resistance. Researchers are now studying new ways to boost the power of proteasome inhibitors by combining them with other drugs that target related stress and repair systems inside the cell. These new strategies could make treatment more effective, especially for patients whose disease has relapsed or stopped responding to current therapies.

 

 

"Induction of HMOX1 by mesenchymal stem cell cytotherapy inhibits osteoclastogenesis and myeloma-induced bone disease"

Source

Li X, Ling W, Barlogie B, Yaccoby S. Induction of HMOX1 by mesenchymal stem cell cytotherapy inhibits osteoclastogenesis and myeloma-induced bone disease. Clin Transl Med. 2025; 15:e70302. https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70302 May 27, 2025. 

Overview

Researchers have found that a protein called HMOX1 may help protect bones from damage caused by multiple myeloma. In lab and animal studies, they showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can boost HMOX1 levels in certain immune cells, which slows down the formation of bone-destroying cells called osteoclasts. When HMOX1 was increased—either using stem cells or a drug called hemin—it helped reduce bone loss and damage without affecting tumor growth. Low HMOX1 levels were linked to worse outcomes in patients, suggesting that therapies that increase HMOX1 might help treat myeloma-related bone disease in the future.

 

 

"Adoptive Cellular Therapies in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

David Kegyes, Bogdan Borlea, Marc Damian, Adrian Bogdan Tigu, Madalina Nistor, Diana Cenariu, Raluca Munteanu, Diana Gulei, Angela Dascalescu, Ion Antohe, Alina Tanase, Evangelos Terpos, Hermann Einsele, Ciprian Tomuleasa, Adoptive Cellular Therapies in Multiple Myeloma, Best Practice & Research Clinical Haematology,2025, 101638, ISSN 1521-6926, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beha.2025.101638. May 27, 2025. 

Overview

CAR T-cell therapy is a powerful new treatment that trains the body’s own immune cells to fight multiple myeloma. While it was first used for patients whose disease came back or stopped responding to treatment, research now shows it may work even better when used earlier—possibly instead of a stem cell transplant. Scientists are also working on improving the safety and effectiveness of CAR T and similar therapies, and exploring how they might help treat other cancers, too.

 

 

"Is Consolidation Therapy Effective in Multiple Myeloma Patients after High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Single Center Real-Life Data with Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone or Bortezomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone?"

Source

Yıldız, Ş., Demirezen, A., Yeğin, Z.A. et al. Is Consolidation Therapy Effective in Multiple Myeloma Patients after High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Single Center Real-Life Data with Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone or Bortezomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone?. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-025-02045-4 May 28, 2025. 

Overview

This study looked at whether giving extra treatment (called consolidation therapy) after a stem cell transplant helps people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. All patients had already received Velcade® (bortezomib)-based treatment before their transplant. Researchers found that patients who received additional treatment after transplant—especially those whose myeloma had only partly responded—stayed in remission longer than those who didn’t. However, patients who were already in complete remission after transplant didn’t benefit as much. The extra treatment was found to be safe and well tolerated.

 

 

"Current and Future Directions of Immunotherapies in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Eden M.D. Biltibo et al. Current and Future Directions of Immunotherapies in Multiple Myeloma. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 45, e473316(2025). DOI:10.1200/EDBK-25-473316 May 28, 2025 

Overview

Multiple myeloma treatment has come a long way, with major improvements in recent years. Doctors now often use four-drug combinations (called quadruplets) instead of just two or three drugs to start treatment. Adding monoclonal antibodies to these treatments has helped patients live longer, whether or not they are eligible for a stem cell transplant. Stem cell transplant is still a key part of treatment, and more people can now receive it, including older adults and those with kidney problems, thanks to better supportive care. A newer type of treatment, called bispecific T-cell engagers (or BiTEs), is showing strong results in patients whose myeloma has returned. These drugs are now being studied for use earlier in treatment and in combination with other therapies. This review highlights these exciting advances in myeloma care.

 

 

 

"Advances in NK cell therapy for multiple myeloma"

Source

Najing Liu, Yujin Zeng, Ying Wang, Congyue Wang, Nuoxian Li, Jinge Xu, Advances in NK cell therapy for multiple myeloma, Best Practice & Research Clinical Haematology, 2025, 101639, ISSN 1521-6926, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beha.2025.101639. May 28,2025. 

Overview

In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells grow out of control, and the immune system has trouble fighting back. This is especially true for natural killer (NK) cells within the immune system. These NK cells are normally part of the body's defense system, but in myeloma patients, their numbers and ability to kill cancer cells are reduced. Scientists are working on ways to boost or restore NK cells to help treat myeloma. Promising progress has been made in both lab research and clinical trials using NK cell therapies, including a newer approach called CAR-NK therapy. This article reviews how NK cell-based treatments are becoming a growing part of multiple myeloma care.

 

 

"International Consensus for the Management of Spinal Lesions Due to Multiple Myeloma and Plasmacytoma: Belt and Road Algorithm and Systematic Literature Review"

Source

Vega-Moreno, D.A., López-Valdés, J.C., Dickson, C.H.H. et al. International Consensus for the Management of Spinal Lesions Due to Multiple Myeloma and Plasmacytoma: Belt and Road Algorithm and Systematic Literature Review. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 7, 141 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-025-01908-1 May 29, 2025. 

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) represents 10% of hematologic malignancies and 1% of all cancers. In MM, spinal involvement can occur in up to 50–60% of patients, presenting a diverse range of challenges, from symptomatic lytic lesions, fractures, spinal cord compression syndrome (SCCS), to even asymptomatic imaging findings. We present this guide for diagnosing and treating spinal injuries due to MM and plasmacytoma performed by spine surgeons at different hospital centers. Based on the current literature and a systematic literature review with PRISMA guidelines, we performed this treatment algorithm for spine fractures due to multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma. We obtained 75 papers for final review and created a new classification for MM spine fractures. This guide intends to create a new classification for vertebral fractures due to MM, which is significant as it provides a more comprehensive and standardized approach to diagnosing and treating these fractures. It also includes recommendations for diagnosis, management, and treatment in these patients. This guideline provides actionable recommendations tailored to different fracture types and levels of severity, all supported by a robust, evidence-based logic. This makes the guidelines not only applicable but also reliable for clinicians across various levels of expertise and settings. 

 

 

"Evaluating the impact of CRBN mutations on response to immunomodulatory drugs and novel cereblon E3 ligase modulators in myeloma"

Source

Yakinthi Chrisochoidou, Andrea Scarpino, Salomon Morales, Shannon Martin, Sarah Bird, Yigen Li, Brian Walker, John Caldwell, Yann-Vaï Le Bihan, Charlotte Pawlyn; Evaluating the impact of CRBN mutations on response to immunomodulatory drugs and novel cereblon E3 ligase modulators in myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (22): 2630–2644. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024025861 May 29, 2025. 

Overview

Some patients with multiple myeloma stop responding to a group of treatments called IMiDs, such as Revlimid® (lenalidomide) or Pomalyst® (pomalidomide). One reason for this resistance is changes in a protein called cereblon (CRBN), which these drugs need to work.

This study looked at a specific type of change to cereblon—called missense mutations—to see how they affect treatment. Researchers found three main types of responses:

• Some mutations made cereblon completely stop working for all IMiD drugs.
• Some mutations had no effect.
• Some mutations affected certain drugs but not others.

The exciting news: a new type of treatment, called CELMoDs, might still work even when IMiDs don’t. In lab tests, CELMoDs were able to kill myeloma cells in cases where the standard drugs had failed.

Researchers also used detailed 3D models of how these drugs bind to cereblon to better understand how the mutations work.

 Even if someone has stopped responding to IMiDs due to cereblon mutations, they may still benefit from newer CELMoD therapies. This could help doctors choose better treatments based on a patient’s specific genetic profile.

 

 

"Guidance on the interpretation of CRBN mutations in myeloma"

Source

K. Martin Kortüm, Hermann Einsele; Guidance on the interpretation of CRBN mutations in myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (22): 2542. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024028272 May 29, 2025.  

Overview

Some people with multiple myeloma stop responding to drugs, such as Revlimid® (lenalidomide) or Pomalyst® (pomalidomide).. These drugs, known as IMiDs, work by targeting a protein called cereblon (CRBN). When the CRBN gene changes, or mutates, these treatments may lose their effectiveness.

New research by Chrisochoidou and team looked closely at one type of CRBN mutation, called “missense mutations,” to see how they affect treatment. They found three main types:

• Some mutations completely block the drug from working.
• Some have no effect.
• Some only affect certain drugs but not others.

Yet, newer drugs called CELMoDs (like mezigdomide) may still work even if IMiDs don’t. These CELMoDs were able to kill cancer cells in lab tests, even when CRBN mutations were present.

Why does this matter?

• CRBN mutations become more common after a patient has been on several treatments.
• Knowing which type of mutation a patient has can help doctors pick better treatments, especially newer ones that still work when others fail.
• As new therapies like CAR-T and bispecific antibodies grow in use, understanding the role of CRBN mutations will help personalize care even more.

CRBN mutations are one reason IMiDs stop working. But newer drugs may offer a way around this, giving patients more treatment options.

 

 

"Improving predictive accuracy in multiple myeloma using a plasma cell profile derived from single-cell RNA sequencing"

Source

Liu L, Sun H, Feng F, Sun X, Ma J, Lv R, Yu T, Ye L, Li X, Yu Z, Zhang X, Jing H, Yao Y, Ma F, Qiu L, Hao M. Improving predictive accuracy in multiple myeloma using a plasma cell profile derived from single-cell RNA sequencing. Haematologica; https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2025.287586 [Early view]. May 29, 2025.  

Overview

Multiple myeloma (MM) doesn’t act the same in every patient. Some people respond well to treatment, while others don't. With the disease, it’s been hard to predict who’s at higher risk.

In a new study, researchers looked at the tumor cells of 12 newly diagnosed MM patients using a powerful tool called single-cell analysis. They focused especially on patients who survived less than two years, a group considered ultra–high-risk.

What they found:

• Tumor cells were made up of many different subtypes, but one group stood out. This aggressive group of cells showed signs of extreme drug resistance, unstable chromosomes, and high-risk gene activity.
• These aggressive cells were linked to worse survival outcomes.

The researchers identified 7 key genes that were highly active in this aggressive group:
LILRB4, CD74, TUBA1B, CCND2, HIST1H4C, ITGB7, and CRIP1.

When these genes were active, the patient was more likely to have a poor outcome, even more than other known risk factors like ISS stage or genetic abnormalities.

To make this easier to use in real life, the team created:

• A risk-scoring model based on these 7 genes.
• A simple test (digital PCR) to measure the gene activity.

This new model can help doctors better identify ultra–high-risk patients early on, so they can potentially adjust treatment plans before the disease progresses.

This approach could improve the treatment and detection of multiple myeloma.

 

 

"Real-world outcomes of isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma"

Source

Chen, Wenting1,2,3,4; You, Jianhua1,2; Lin, Li’e3; Yan, Xiaojing5; An, Gang6; Wang, Yafei7,8; Tian, Weiwei9; Ding, Kaiyang10; Zhang, Xi11; Chen, Wenming12; Wang, Yingxue13; Fang, Baijun14; Liu, Jing15; Xia, Weilin16; Feng, Zhaoyi17; Zhou, Lei17; Wang, Zhini17; Shen, Dan18; Liu, Gang19; Zhao, Weili1,2. Real-world outcomes of isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Chinese Medical Journal ():10.1097/CM9.0000000000003649, May 29, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003649 May 29, 2025. 

Overview

A new study from China looked at how well a treatment combo—Sarclisa® (isatuximab), Pomalyst® (pomalidomide), and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd)—works for people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). While this combo has shown success in clinical trials, real-world data from Chinese patients was limited—until now.

Key Results:

• 83% of patients responded to the Isa-Pd treatment.
• 74% had a very good response or better.
• 43% had a complete response or better.
• Most started seeing results within just over a month.
• After 6 months:
  • 87% were still progression-free.
  • 91% survived.

Compared to a similar group of past patients who didn’t get Isa-Pd, those on Isa-Pd were more than twice as likely to respond.

Side Effects:

The most common serious side effects were:

• Low neutrophil counts (75%)
• Low white blood cell counts (54%)
• Anemia (46%)

Doctors considered these side effects manageable and in line with what was seen in clinical trials.

This study shows that Isa-Pd is an effective and safe option for Chinese patients with RRMM, offering fast and deep responses, even in those who’ve already had several other treatments.

 

 

"Targeting caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase, a novel contributor to the pathobiology of high-risk multiple myeloma"

Source

Li Qin, Luz Yurany Moreno Rueda, Upasana Ray, Iqbal Mahmud, Lin Tan, Philip L. Lorenzi, Suyu Liu, Heather Lin, David E. Mery, Fenghuang Zhan, John D. Shaughnessy, Qing Yi, Maria Jose Acevedo Calado, Hua Wang, Elisabet E. Manasanch, Hans C. Lee, Krina K. Patel, Isere Kuiatse, David E. Symer, Robert Z. Orlowski; Targeting caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase, a novel contributor to the pathobiology of high-risk multiple myeloma. Blood 2025; 145 (22): 2614–2629. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024024781 May 29, 2025.  

Overview

Researchers have discovered a protein called CLPP that may help explain why some multiple myeloma cases become more aggressive and harder to treat. CLPP is found in higher amounts in cancerous plasma cells, especially in patients with active myeloma andpoorer outcomes, compared to those with early-stage disease like MGUS or smoldering myeloma.

Why CLPP Matters:

• High levels of CLPP are linked to poorer survival and more aggressive disease, including extramedullary myeloma (when myeloma spreads outside the bone marrow).
• Blocking CLPP in lab tests slowed down cancer cell growth, triggered cancer cell death (apoptosis), and reduced the cells’ energy production, making it harder for them to survive.

Key Learnings:

• A drug called inobrodib, which blocks CLPP, showed strong results in lab and animal models, even in drug-resistant myeloma.
• Combining CLPP blockers with proteasome inhibitors or other drugs targeting cancer metabolism made the treatment even more effective.

What This Means:

Targeting CLPP could offer a new way to treat high-risk and drug-resistant myeloma, possibly improving outcomes when used alongside current therapies.

CLPP is emerging as a promising treatment target. Blocking it could help fight even the toughest forms of myeloma.

 

 

"Scotty, we need more power!”

Source

Kelvin Lee; “Scotty, we need more power!”. Blood 2025; 145 (22): 2540–2541. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028349 May 29, 2025   

Overview

Just like the starship Enterprise calling for more power during a crisis, multiple myeloma cells need more energy to survive and grow, especially when under attack from treatments. That extra power comes from their mitochondria, the tiny “power plants” inside cells. A new study highlights how myeloma cells depend on these mitochondria and introduces a possible new way to stop them.

Key Discovery: CLPP—The Mitochondrial Quality Controller

Researchers found that myeloma cells rely on a protein called CLPP, which helps keep their mitochondria running smoothly. Think of CLPP as a cleanup crew that removes damaged parts so the mitochondria can keep producing energy at full speed.

Here’s why this matters:

• CLPP is more active in aggressive myeloma, especially in cells that grow quickly or resist treatment.
• Blocking CLPP in lab tests slowed or killed myeloma cells, including drug-resistant ones.
• This happened because without CLPP, the mitochondria couldn’t manage stress or keep up with energy demands, leading to a kind of cellular burnout.

How This Could Help Patients

• A compound called inobrodib, already in early clinical trials, can lower CLPP levels. In lab studies, it made myeloma cells weaker and more sensitive to treatment.
• Blocking CLPP worked even better when combined with other drugs that target cancer cell energy or cleanup systems.

What It Means for the Future

This research shows that myeloma cells are highly dependent on strong mitochondria, and CLPP plays a central role in that. Targeting CLPP could become a new strategy to fight back against hard-to-treat or relapsing myeloma, possibly giving patients more treatment options.

Bottom line: Myeloma cells run on high power, and CLPP helps keep the engine running. Turning off that power source could be a smart new way to slow or stop the disease.

 

 

"New Definition of Light Chain Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance"

Source

Einarsson Long T, Rognvaldsson S, Thorsteinsdottir S, et al. New Definition of Light Chain Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. JAMA Oncol. Published online May 29, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.1285  May 29, 2025.   

Overview

The IMF's iStopMM study in Iceland looked at how we define light chain monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (LC-MGUS)—a condition that can be a warning sign for multiple myeloma. What researchers found could change how this condition is diagnosed.

What Was the Problem?

Doctors use a blood test called a free light chain (FLC) test to help find LC-MGUS. But the “normal ranges” used in this test may be too strict, especially in people with healthy kidneys. That means many people were being told they had LC-MGUS when they didn’t, causing unnecessary worry and extra testing.

What Did the Study Find?

• The study looked at over 75,000 adults in Iceland.
• Researchers created age-based reference ranges for FLC levels, which turned out to be more accurate.
• Using these new ranges, the number of people diagnosed with LC-MGUS dropped by 82%.
• Even better: none of the people who would no longer be considered to have LC-MGUS under the new definition developed blood cancer over nearly 5 years of follow-up.

Why This Matters

• The new definition is more accurate and avoids scaring people unnecessarily.
• It could reduce false positives, meaning fewer unneeded tests and anxiety.
• Doctors may soon use these updated ranges to improve patient care and decision-making.

A smarter way to read FLC test results could prevent thousands of people from being wrongly diagnosed with LC-MGUS, without missing those truly at risk.

 

 

"Social determinants of health and their impact on frontline treatment patterns among Medicare Advantage members with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma"

Source

Daviano A, Xu Y, Suehs BT, Wojcicki S, Harper JS, Brunisholz KD. Social determinants of health and their impact on frontline treatment patterns among Medicare Advantage members with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2025 Jun;31(6):603-612. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2025.31.6.603. May 29, 2025. 

Overview

A recent study looked at how social and economic factors—called social determinants of health (SDoH)—affect treatment for people on Medicare who were newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (NDMM). The findings highlight how race, income, and insurance status can lead to delays in care.

Key Findings:

• The study included 4,483 patients, with about 32% identifying as Black and 24% qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid (DE/LIS status).
• Over 43% of patients did not receive any treatment within 12 months of diagnosis. Of those, some had early-stage (smoldering) myeloma, which may not need immediate treatment.
• On average, patients started treatment 2.7 months after diagnosis. Only 51% began treatment within 90 days.

Who Faced More Delays?

Patients were less likely to start treatment within 90 days if they were:

• Black patients
• Low-income or dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (DE/LIS)
• Enrolled in special needs health plans

Community-level factors like living in areas with low education or high poverty didn’t show a direct link to delayed care, but a combination of these issues likely plays a role.

What About the Treatment Itself?

• For those who did get treatment, the type and length of treatment were similar across groups.
• Newer treatments, especially daratumumab-based combinations, became more common over time.

What This Means:

Some patients face delays in getting care after a myeloma diagnosis. This is often true for Black patients or for patients with lower incomes.These gaps can lead to worse outcomes and need to be addressed to ensure everyone gets timely, effective treatment.

Where you live, your income, and your insurance coverage can affect how soon you get treated for multiple myeloma. Fixing these issues is key to making care fair and accessible for all.

 

 

"Identification of a CAR-Derived Clone by NGS-Based MRD After Fully Human BCMA CAR T-Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma"

Source

Yan, W., Chang, J., Du, C., Liu, Y., Lv, R., Zou, H., Yu, T., Zhang, S., Wang, T., Sui, W., Deng, S., Xu, Y., Huang, W., Yi, S., Zou, D., Wang, J., Qiu, L., Jia, Y. and An, G. (2025), Identification of a CAR-Derived Clone by NGS-Based MRD After Fully Human BCMA CAR T-Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma. Am J Hematol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27732 May 30, 2025 . 

Overview

Doctors have seen amazing results using BCMA CAR-T cell therapy to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). These therapies, especially eque-cel, can wipe out nearly all signs of disease and help patients achieve deep, long-lasting remissions. But sometimes lab tests pick up unusual signals that raise new questions.

What the Study Found

At one cancer center, doctors noticed something strange after patients received eque-cel CAR-T therapy. Some patients showed a “new clone” in their bone marrow when tested for minimal residual disease (MRD)—even though their original cancer was gone.

This new clone:

• Was not related to the original cancer.
• Did not lead to relapse or new disease.
• Showed up only in patients who received eque-cel, not other CAR-T products.

After deeper testing, the researchers discovered this “new clone” was actually a false signal caused by a part of the CAR-T therapy itself—specifically, a gene segment from the engineered CAR-T cells. The test used to detect MRD mistook this harmless CAR-related fragment for a sign of cancer.

Why This Matters

It’s not cancer. This signal does not mean the myeloma has relapsed or that the patient has a new disease.

It’s a testing artifact. The novel signal is just a side effect of the way MRD tests read the engineered CAR-T cells, especially those made with human-like sequences, like eque-cel.

It may actually be helpful. This signal could be used to track how long CAR-T cells stay in the body, which might help doctors monitor treatment over time.

What This Means for Patients

If you’ve received eque-cel CAR-T therapy and your doctor mentions seeing a “new clone” in your MRD results, it’s likely not a sign of cancer. It’s just your CAR-T cells showing up on highly sensitive tests.

This study helps doctors better interpret MRD results after CAR-T therapy and avoid unnecessary worry or treatment. It’s a reminder that with new treatments come new things to learn—and that science is constantly working to make testing and care more accurate.

 

 

"Monoclonal Gammopathies in Africa"

Source

Abiola Bolarinwa, Lateef Odukoya, Francis Buadi, Vincent Rajkumar, Shaji Kumar, Celine Vachon, Lily Paemka, Linda B. Baughn, Joselle M. Cook, Monoclonal Gammopathies in Africa, Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025, ISSN 2152-2650, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2025.05.023. May 31, 2025. 

Overview

People of African descent are more likely to develop multiple myeloma (MM) and its early forms—MGUS and smoldering myeloma (SMM)—than people of European descent. But despite this, there’s still not enough research focused on African populations.

Key Points:

• Higher rates of MGUS and MM have been found in West African and South African Black men.
• MM tends to be diagnosed at a younger age in African individuals.
• There's a higher number of women with MM in African populations compared to European ones.
• Delays in diagnosis (up to 10–12 months from first symptoms) are common.
• More bone damage is often seen at the time of diagnosis.

What Might Be Behind These Differences?

Researchers believe that genetic and immune system differences may play a role in how the disease behaves in African individuals. But we need more studies to fully understand why these differences exist and how best to treat them.

Why This Matters:

• Without solid research, we risk missing key information that could help improve early diagnosis and treatment in African communities.
• There's a critical need for global collaboration to close the gaps in knowledge and care.

Multiple myeloma affects people of African descent differently, but the medical community still has a lot to learn. More research is essential to ensure everyone gets the best care, no matter their background.