Dr. Lonial on High-Risk Patients With Smoldering Multiple Myeloma

Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP, professor and chair, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, chief medical officer, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses how the treatment landscape has evolved for patients with smoldering multiple myeloma.

This area has undergone a huge amount of change in the last few years, Lonial says. This is mostly due to the fact that physicians have gotten better at identifying risk stratification in this group of patients. Two randomized clinical trials have identified a subset of patients that should be offered early intervention. These patients are the highest-risk group.

It is important to discuss the options for patients in this group and to offer early therapy, Lonial adds. Many doctors do not want to embark with early therapy, but the ultimate goal is prevention. Lonial notes there have been promising data moving forward in this field.