Dr. Nooka on the Utility of BCMA as a Target in Multiple Myeloma

Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, FACP, associate professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, medical director, Winship Data and Technology Applications Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute, discusses the utility of BCMA as a target in multiple myeloma.

In oncology, ideal targeted therapies should be directed toward antigens that are specifically expressed on the target cell and not expressed on normal cells, says Nooka. Increased specificity will minimize off-target adverse effects.

BCMA is a specific target that is expressed on myeloma plasma cells and not expressed on normal cells, which is why it has become an effective target for drug development in multiple myeloma, concludes Nooka.