Predicting Outcomes in Early Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: An Interview with Joseph Mikhael, MD

Introduction

Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, is a leading expert in multiple myeloma, serving as the chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, a professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, and director of the myeloma program and research program at the HonorHealth Research Institute. In this interview, conducted during the European Hematology Association 2024 Congress, Dr. Mikhael discusses the challenges posed by early relapse in multiple myeloma, and strategies to improve outcomes for affected patients.

Unmet Medical Needs in Early Relapse

Despite significant advances in treatment, early relapse in multiple myeloma remains a particularly challenging clinical scenario. According to Dr. Mikhael, a subset of patients with high-risk myeloma are predisposed to early relapse, generally within 1-1.5 years of their initial therapy or transplant. Unfortunately, these patients tend to experience poor outcomes, with each subsequent remission being shorter than the one before. This represents a significant unmet medical need in the field of myeloma.

Promising Strategies for Improving Outcomes

To address this unmet need, Dr. Mikhael points to the emerging strategy of CAR T-cell therapy, which has shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with early relapse myeloma. Recent data suggest that introducing CAR T earlier in treatment may lead to better outcomes for affected patients.

Minimizing Toxicities

Another significant unmet need in the field of myeloma pertains to patients who experience significant toxicities from their treatments. Dr. Mikhael emphasizes the importance of minimizing these toxicities up front, in order to be better prepared to manage them when they occur. In particular, he notes that patients with significant neuropathy may require specialized care to manage their symptoms and optimize their outcomes.

Conclusion

Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma, early relapse remains a challenging clinical scenario with significant unmet medical needs. CAR T-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for improving outcomes in affected patients, as do efforts to better manage toxicities associated with existing treatments. By remaining focused on these challenges, researchers and clinicians can continue to make progress in the fight against myeloma.

Originally Post From https://www.ajmc.com/view/game-changing-strategies-for-early-relapsed-myeloma

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