BCMA-Targeting Therapies for RRMM: Future Perspectives

Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP: This has been a rich and informative discussion. Before we conclude, I’d like to get some final thoughts on unmet needs and future perspectives. Dr Klugo, do you mind giving me a quick summary of some of your thoughts and experiences supporting the use of belamaf [belantamab mafodotin]?

Karen L. Klugo, MD: As I said before, if you’re the treating oncologist, it’s very important to have a good relationship with an ophthalmologist where the communication lines are open. It’s important that the patients be seen on that regular 3-week basis if they’re continuing therapy. It’s important to use the preservative-free drops and stress to the patients that keeping your eyes hydrated will help with symptoms. It’s a good medication for the right person. Following along with the oncologist and ophthalmologist is extremely important with this treatment.

Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP: Yes. I couldn’t agree more. From the treatment perspective, we’re very fortunate and excited to have treatments available for patients who are triple-class refractory, where just a few years ago, we didn’t have many options at all short of cytotoxic chemotherapy. It’s important to keep in mind that while partnerships with an ophthalmologist are a new thing for us in the [multiple] myeloma field, in terms of drug adverse events and toxicity, these kinds of approaches can yield significant benefit to patients in terms of remission and quality of life.

There’s a risk of visual acuity changes and blurred vision, but many of the treatments we use in this triple-class refractory patient population often require patients to come in 2 or 3 times a week for blood product support, antiemetic support, or hydration. With belamaf [belantamab mafodotin], even if you have visual acuity changes, you’re still only coming in every 3 weeks. From a symptom burden perspective, it’s much easier for patients to consider overall. It’s a nice option for patients who don’t want the intensity of therapy that may be associated with things like CAR [chimeric antigen receptor]-T cells or bispecifics.

Thank you once again to our panel. And to our viewing audience, thank you for joining us. We hope you found this OncLive® Insights discussion to be useful and valuable to the treatment of your patients with multiple myeloma. Thank you.

Transcript edited for clarity.