New Therapies on the Horizon for Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Despite improved treatments, most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) will experience relapse. Several novel agents have demonstrated activity and tolerability in early phase clinical trials. Venetoclax is a B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitor with activity in patients with t(11;14) and/or Bcl-2 expression. Iberdomide and mezigdomide are cereblon E3 ligase modulators with higher potency, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative activity compared with lenalidomide and pomalidomide. They have shown promising activity in heavily pretreated patients. Modakafusp alfa is an immunocytokine that targets interferons to CD38+ cells. It has demonstrated single agent activity in relapsed/refractory MM in the phase 1 setting.

Cereblon-Targeting Ligase Degraders in Myeloma: Mechanisms of Action and Resistance

Cereblon-targeting degraders, including immunomodulatory imide drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide alongside cereblon E3 ligase modulators like iberdomide and mezigdomide, have demonstrated significant anti-myeloma effects. These drugs play a crucial role in diverse therapeutic approaches for multiple myeloma (MM), emphasizing their therapeutic importance across various disease stages. Despite their evident efficacy, approximately 5% to 10% of MM patients exhibit primary resistance to lenalidomide, and resistance commonly develops over time. Understanding the intricate mechanisms of action and resistance to this drug class becomes imperative for refining and advancing novel therapeutic combinations.