Dr. Kumar on Ongoing Research in Multiple Myeloma

Shaji K. Kumar, MD, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses ongoing research in multiple myeloma.

The use of minimal residual disease (MRD) could lead to personalized treatment strategies in multiple myeloma, says Kumar. Currently, clinical trials are, in addition to evaluating novel combination regimens, incorporating MRD negativity status to guide individualized treatment approaches and schedules.

For example, in the phase III AURIGA trial, patients who are MRD positive following autologous stem cell transplant will be randomized to maintenance therapy with the combination of daratumumab (Darzalex) plus lenalidomide (Revlimid) versus lenalidomide alone to determine the optimal duration of maintenance therapy and the need for an CD38 antibody. Moreover, in the relapsed/refractory setting, genomics could take on a greater role in guiding individualized treatment decisions, concludes Kumar.