Dr. Jagannath on Next-Generation Approaches in Multiple Myeloma

Sundar Jagannath, MD, professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses next-generation approaches in multiple myeloma.

Therapeutic options in multiple myeloma are rapidly expanding, says Jagannath. In 2015, 4 new agents were approved by the FDA as treatments for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: panobinostat, elotuzumab, daratumumab, and ixazomib.

These agents can be safely used in combination with other existing drugs, he says. At the 2015 ASH Annual Meeting, the results of a study combining lenalidomide, daratumumab, and the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab were presented. This combination was able to put patients who were refractory to currently approved agents into remission, says Jagannath.