Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma: current status and future perspectives

S Lonial; B Durie; A Palumbo; J San-Miguel

doi:10.1038/leu.2015.223

Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma: current status and future perspectives

Leukemia. 2016 Mar;30(3):526-35. doi: 10.1038/leu.2015.223. Epub 2015 Aug 12.

Authors

S Lonial¹, B Durie², A Palumbo³, J San-Miguel⁴

Affiliations

¹ Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
² Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ Department of Hematology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
⁴ Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain.

Abstract

The treatment landscape for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is constantly evolving. Over the past decade, the introduction of novel agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs has led to notable changes in therapeutic strategy, and improvements in survival, yet MM remains incurable in the vast majority of cases. More recently, a targeted approach to MM treatment has emerged, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to target antigens expressed on the surface of MM cells. MAbs tested to date kill MM cells via the host's immune system and/or by promoting apoptosis, and appear to have generally improved tolerability compared with currently available treatments. Due to their distinct mode of action, mAbs are promising both for patients who have exhausted current regimens, and as part of first-line treatments in newly diagnosed patients. This review examines the recent developments in mAb-based therapy for MM, primarily focused on those agents in ongoing clinical testing.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
Antigens, CD / genetics
Antigens, CD / immunology
Apoptosis / drug effects
B-Cell Activating Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics
B-Cell Activating Factor / immunology
Disease-Free Survival
Gene Expression
Humans
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
Immunotherapy / trends*
Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
Interleukin-6 / genetics
Interleukin-6 / immunology
Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
Multiple Myeloma / immunology
Multiple Myeloma / mortality
Multiple Myeloma / pathology
Plasma Cells / drug effects*
Plasma Cells / immunology
Plasma Cells / pathology
Proteasome Inhibitors / therapeutic use
Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors
Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
Receptors, CXCR4 / immunology
Receptors, Immunologic / antagonists & inhibitors
Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antigens, CD
B-Cell Activating Factor
CXCR4 protein, human
IL6 protein, human
Immunologic Factors
Interleukin-6
Proteasome Inhibitors
Receptors, CXCR4
Receptors, Immunologic
SLAMF7 protein, human
Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
TNFSF13B protein, human