James E. Hoffman, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System, discusses remaining challenges in the field of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

The biggest unmet need in this setting is two-fold, Hoffman says. These patients have already undergone intensive therapy, many of whom have undergone a stem cell transplant. These patients have a lot to recover from as their bodies have already been through a lot. Upon relapse, patients may not be fit enough to receive more therapy, explains Hoffman.

Relapsed/refractory myeloma is still in need of highly effective, minimally toxic therapeutic options. Myeloma is still incurable in 2019, so the field needs to continue moving toward curative strategies so that patients can receive a fixed duration of treatment. Currently, the disease is treated like a chronic illness where patients remain on therapy indefinitely. As such, there is a large physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients.

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James E. Hoffman, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System, discusses remaining challenges in the field of relapsed/refractory myeloma.

Dr. Hoffman Discusses Challenges in Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma

James E. Hoffman, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System, discusses anticipated developments in the field of multiple myeloma.

Several of the active drugs in myeloma—including monoclonal antibodies&mdash;are relatively new and have only been available for about 3 to 3.5 years, says Hoffman. Moving forward, these agents are likely to move into the frontline setting. The benefit of this approach is added activity without the toxicity, says Hoffman. This will enable more deep, durable responses that may delay the time to relapse or potentially eliminate the possibility of relapse altogether.

Some of these effective therapies that are available now will ultimately be moved into the frontline setting, adds Hoffman. Hopefully, CAR T-cell therapy or a similar approach that harnesses potent immunotherapies will emerge in the relapsed sphere, offering the potential for a single treatment with durable responses or even potentially curative outcomes, Hoffman concludes. 

James E. Hoffman, MD

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Dr. Hoffman Discusses Challenges in Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma

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