Clinical Management of Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Current Strategies and Emerging Therapies

Abstract

Major progress has been made in the upfront treatment of multiple myeloma, but the disease ultimately relapses and leads to death in the vast majority of those afflicted. New treatment strategies and modalities are necessary to treat myeloma in relapse, particularly in cases of triple-refractory status defined by disease progression during or shortly after treatment with immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody therapy. In this manuscript, we review recent promising developments in the treatment of triple-class refractory myeloma including bispecific antibodies and T cell engagers, chimeric antigen receptor cellular therapies, as well as chemotherapeutics with novel mechanisms of action.

Keywords: bispecific antibodies; chimeric antigen receptor T cells; immunomodulatory agents; monoclonal antibody; multiple myeloma; proteasome inhibitors.