title: Immunotherapeutic approaches to treat multiple myeloma.
abstract: Cellular immunotherapy can be an effective adjuvant treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), as demonstrated by induction of durable remissions after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, anti-myeloma immunity is often hampered by suppressive mechanisms in the tumor micro-environment resulting in relapse or disease progression. To overcome this immunosuppression, new cellular immunotherapies have been developed, based on the important effector cells in anti-myeloma immunity, namely T cells and natural killer cells. These effectors can be modulated to improve their functionality, activated by dendritic cell vaccines, or combined with immune stimulating antibodies or immunomodulatory drugs to enhance their efficacy. In this review, we discuss promising pre-clinical and clinical data in the field of cellular immunotherapy in MM. In addition, we address the potential of combining these strategies with other therapies to maximize clinical effects without increasing toxicity. The reviewed therapies might pave the way to effective personalized treatments for MM patients.
authors: Department of Hematology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Mieke W H
authors: MW
authors: Roeven
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine-Laboratory of Hematology Radboud; University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Willemijn
authors: W
authors: Hobo
authors: Department of Hematology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Nicolaas
authors: N
authors: Schaap
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine-Laboratory of Hematology Radboud; University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Harry
authors: H
authors: Dolstra
mesh_terms: D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Multiple Myeloma; T cells; chimeric antigen receptors; dendritic cells; immune escape; immunomodulatory drugs; immunotherapy; monoclonal antibodies; natural killer cells; proteasome inhibitors