The multiple myeloma treatment landscape has evolved considerably over the last 20 years with the development of multiple therapies with novel mechanisms of action and new combination regimens. However, the recent failure of several large phase III trials, coupled with an increased understanding of the mutational landscape of multiple myeloma has provided opportunities to explore optimal strategies for future multiple myeloma drug development. The Office of Oncologic Diseases at the FDA held an educational symposium, "Drug Development in MM-Project 2025," in November 2019. The symposium brought together select U.S.-based academic thought leaders in the field of multiple myeloma to explore issues relevant to regulatory science in the field, including considerations for trial design, combination strategies, control arms, and precision medicine. This article summarizes the highlights of this educational symposium held at the FDA, including discussions on the future development of novel drugs and drug combinations and biomarker-directed therapies for patients with multiple myeloma.
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