Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow. It's the second most common blood cancer, with about 35,000 new cases in the U.S. each year. Treatment now includes combinations of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and stem cell transplant, with median survival now exceeding ten years for many patients.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing CAR T-cell therapies, bispecific antibodies that redirect immune cells to kill myeloma, and new targeted drugs. Researchers are studying earlier use of transplant, minimal residual disease testing to guide treatment duration, and combinations that might lead to long-term remission. BCMA-targeted therapies dominate the pipeline, with several now FDA-approved.
BCMA-targeted therapies
CAR T-cell therapies like idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel target BCMA protein on myeloma cells. Bispecific antibodies like teclistamab and elranatamab offer off-the-shelf options that also target BCMA.
Earlier intervention
Trials are testing whether treating high-risk smoldering myeloma before symptoms appear can prevent progression. Other studies explore using newer drugs earlier in the treatment sequence rather than saving them for relapse.
Minimal residual disease
Sensitive tests can now detect one myeloma cell among a million normal cells. Trials are studying whether people who reach this deep response can safely stop treatment or delay transplant.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on how many prior treatments you've had, disease markers like cytogenetics, kidney function, blood counts, and whether myeloma is newly diagnosed or relapsed.
What types of trials are currently open
- CAR T-cell trials — Testing genetically modified immune cells that target myeloma, often for people who have tried several prior treatments.
- Bispecific antibody trials — Studies of antibodies that connect immune cells to myeloma cells, bringing them together to trigger cell death.
- Combination therapy trials — Testing new combinations of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and antibodies to improve initial treatment.
- Maintenance trials — Studying drugs taken after transplant or initial treatment to keep myeloma from coming back.
- Smoldering myeloma trials — Testing whether treating high-risk smoldering myeloma before symptoms appear can delay or prevent active disease.
Recently added Multiple Myeloma trials
Safety and Efficacy of RN1201 Injection as First-Line Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
This is a single-arm, dose-escalation exploratory study evaluating the safety and efficacy of RN1201, a BCMA/CD19-targeted allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Patients will receive lymphodepletion followed by a single infusion of RN1201. Primary endpoints include incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events. Secondary endpoints assess response rate and minimal residual disease (MRD) status.
Try a personalized online support program for multiple myeloma
The objective of this prospective study is to investigate the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma and the effectiveness of support provided through a personalized web-based platform. Specifically, the study will compare Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and the associated improvement in side effects and quality of life achieved through appropriate personalized educational and supportive content.
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