title: Monoclonal antibody therapy in multiple myeloma: where do we stand and where are we going?
abstract: Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy that is characterized by refractory and relapsing course of disease. Despite the introduction of high-dose chemotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation and innovative agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs, achieving cure in multiple myeloma is a challenging endeavor. In the last couple of years, enormous advances were made in implementing monoclonal antibody therapy in multiple myeloma. A large number of preclinical and clinical studies have been introduced successfully, demonstrating a safe and efficient administration of monoclonal antibodies in multiple myeloma. In particular, the application of monoclonal antibodies in combination with immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, corticosteroids or conventional chemotherapy seem to be promising and will expand the treatment arsenal for patients with multiple myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Sharmilan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thanendrarajan
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Faith E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Gareth J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schinke
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Heuck
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zangari
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yaccoby
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weinhold
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barlogie
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Frits
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Rhee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors
keywords: immunotherapy; monoclonal antibodies; multiple myeloma; targeted therapy