Treatment for Multiple Myeloma

Standard therapy for MGUS and smoldering myeloma is watchful waiting. If the disease progresses to myeloma requiring treatment, standard therapy is based on modern targeted medications and, in most cases, is followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Doctors also commonly prescribe supportive treatments such as bone-targeting agents, monoclonal antibodies, IV fluids, antiviral prophylaxis, blood clot prophylaxis, and growth factors to treat symptoms and complications of the disease.

Here are some of the treatments used to treat multiple myeloma:

Watchful Waiting/Active Surveillance: To treat early-stage MGUS or smoldering myeloma, the doctor may recommend watchful waiting or active surveillance. If a patient has no symptoms and a low level of tumor burden, the side effects of active treatment often outweigh the benefits. These patients are monitored with tests every three to six months to make sure the abnormal plasma cells and the paraprotein have not progressed. If the tests show any cancer progression, active treatment may be started.

Chemotherapy/Biotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs that travel through the bloodstream and attack rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. To treat multiple myeloma, doctors often combine multiple chemotherapy drugs or combine chemotherapy with other treatments. Patients receive different regimens and combinations depending on their age, health, symptoms, and the stage of the disease. Biotherapy uses drugs that travel through the bloodstream to specific targets such as the abnormal plasma cells.

Proteasome Inhibitors: One form of targeted therapy, proteasome inhibitors, including bortezomib, ixazomib, and carfilzomib, block abnormal cell function and growth. Targeted therapy stops the growth of cancer cells by interfering with signals that cause the cancer to grow or continue to live. Steroids may be taken with the drug regimen your physician advises.

Click here to learn more about Multiple Myeloma Treatment