Dr. Galligan on Unmet Needs in High-Risk Multiple Myeloma

Derek C. Galligan, MD, a medical oncologist at the Center for Health & Healing Building, Oregon Health & Science University, discusses unmet needs in high-risk multiple myeloma.

 Despite positive ​results from several clinical trials, including the ​phase 2 GRIFFIN study, it's unclear whether ​patients with high-risk cytogenetics derive more benefit from quadruplet or triplet therapy​ up front, says Galligan.

Given that no randomized data have pointed to the optimal approach, single-arm studies continue to use triplet induction, transplant, and dose-reduced maintenance, with bortezomib (Velcade), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone ​or carfilzomib (Kyprolis), lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, in younger patients and those with high-risk ​disease, Galligan says.

Moreover, ongoing trials are actively recruiting high-risk patients to evaluate the potential efficacy of novel drugs, such aselotuzumab (Empliciti), Galligan concludes.