Highlights of Multiple Myeloma at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Hematology, 2016

This review discusses the landmark studies in the field of multiple myeloma (MM) which were presented at American society of hematology annual meeting, 2016. There were contrary results from two large phase III trials (one from US and one from Europe) that evaluated the role of additional interventions like tandem autologous transplant (ASCT) and consolidation after induction therapy followed by ASCT in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients, but there were critical differences between the two studies. Novel agents like carfilzomib and ixazomib proved to be of benefit when used as induction and post ASCT consolidation and maintenance in NDMM. The early data on subcutaneous administration of daratumumab (DARA) looked promising. The high rate of minimal residual disease negativity after using DARA even in relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) setting reinforces the benefit of targeting CD38. The responses seen with venetoclax in RRMM with t(11;14)(high BCL-2, low BCL-XL and MCL-1) and selinexor in penta-refractory myeloma which fulfills the FDA category of unmet need, opens up newer options for these patients. BCMA CAR-T infusion shows encouraging results in advanced refractory myeloma patients.