Monoclonal antibodies and checkpoint inhibitors for multiple myeloma

Sagar Lonial, MD, from Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA provides an overview of monoclonal antibodies and checkpoint inhbitors for multiple myeloma at the 2016 World Congress on Controversies in Multiple Myeloma (COMy) held in Paris, France. Currently, two antibodies are approved for routine use in the USA: elotuzumab, which targets SLAMF7 and is combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, and daratumumab, which is currently approved as a single agent. Checkpoint inhibitors are another important class of drugs according to Prof Lonial. Several trials have been launched looking into nivolumab and pembrolizumab, which target PD-1, in combination with lenalidomide and pomalidomide. According to Prof Lonial, the question that will need to be answered is how to combine these drugs in order to increase the fraction of patients who can be cured.