Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD from Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France discusses the current progress being made in multiple myeloma (MM) research. In frontline patients eligible for transplant, practitioners should aim to deepen the response rate and target minimal residual disease (MRD) before transplant. Prof Mohty suggests that second generation proteasome inhibitors are extremely potent in this setting and will be further strengthened by the addition of a monoclonal antibody, such as daratumumab, to achieve negative MRD status. In the transplant setting, current research is showing the importance of maintenance therapy. The meta analysis of three large randomised trials has shown an overall survival (OS) of 2.5 year overall as well as a relatively good safety profile. In the relapse setting current research is also showing positive results, specially in the use of daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. These combinations are achieving an impressive response when used earlier in the history of relapse, according to Prof Mohty. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Current research in the field of multiple myeloma
