Dr. Blue on the Importance of Early Intervention in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Brandon Blue, MD, medical oncologist, Malignant Hematology, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the importance of early intervention in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

In multiple myeloma, indices in the blood, urine, and bone marrow can indicate a patient is progressing before they develop symptoms, Blue explains. This is called a biochemical relapse.

In cases of biochemical relapse, it is important to start patients on the next line of therapy quickly because disease progression could lead to the development of kidney failure, fractures, or lytic lesions that can significantly impair a patient’s quality of life (QOL), Blue explains. Moreover, because multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, maximizing QOL is an important factor for good outcomes.

Ultimately, patients with a biochemical relapse in the blood, urine, or bone marrow should be started on treatment to get their disease under control before symptoms arise, Blue concludes.