Dr. Gertz on Expanding Treatment Options for Myeloma

Morie Gertz, MD, the chair of the Department of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, discusses expanding treatment options for myeloma.

Morie Gertz, MD, the chair of the Department of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, discusses expanding treatment options for myeloma.

There are a number of new agents that are being used for the management of myeloma, says Gertz. Daratumumab, a fully human IgG1k monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, has demonstrated promising activity as monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone have been shown to improve progression-free survival. Panobinostat, a deacetylase (DAC) inhibitor is also being used in new ways to treat myeloma.