ASCO 2019 | How would you pick an induction regimen based on disease risk?

During ASCO 2019, Chicago, US, Brea Lipe, University of Rochester, New York, US, talked to the MM Hub about how a patient's disease risk can, or should, influence the selection of an induction regimen for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). She stated patient stratification is increasingly effective and accurate, which is important for tailoring treatments.  It was noted that whilst triplet therapies are the standard of care for both transplant eligible and ineligible patients, the incorporation of monoclonal antibodies will likely change the way induction strategies are chosen in future.

Additionally, despite transplant being the standard of care, increased used of minimal residual disease (MRD) status may allow further stratification of patients and tailoring of treatments. This may mean transplant can be removed from the treatment pathway altogether in certain patients. She concluded that there are a lot of data expected, but the important take-home message is that patients are living longer and many therapies coming through trials mean the future is bright for patients with myeloma.