Dr. O'Donnell Discusses Ongoing Research Efforts in Multiple Myeloma

Betsy O'Donnell, MD, medical oncologist in the Multiple Myeloma Disease Center and director of Lifestyle Medicine, at Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses ongoing research efforts in multiple myeloma.

Once therapies are shown to be safe and effective in the relapsed/refractory setting, they are typically evaluated in earlier lines of treatment, explains O’Donnell.

BCMA-targeted treatment and CAR T-cell therapy are two promising modalities in that regard, O’Donnell explains.

Novel combinations such as ixazomib (Ninlaro), lenalidomide (Revlimid), dexamethasone, and daratumumab (Darzalex) in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma is also exciting as it could offer a mostly oral regimen for older patients, O’Donnell says.

Other combinations such as carfilzomib (Kyprolis), lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and isatuximab-irfc (Sarclisa) are also under investigation in this space, concludes O’Donnell.