Dr. Mark on ​Questions Regarding Sequencing in Multiple Myeloma

Tomer Mark, MD, clinical director, Plasma Cell Disorders Program, University of Colorado Health, discusses making sequencing decisions amid the array of available treatment options in multiple myeloma.

When looking at sequencing treatment options, the field has more to learn, particularly as it relates to managing toxicities, Mark says. As clinicians continue to gather more data emerge, treatment-related toxicities are becoming more predictable and are able to be better managed, Mark explains. However, patients are still required to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks after receiving CAR T-cell therapy because of the unknown outcomes and potential risks, Mark adds. Overall, there is just more experience is needed with these agents, Mark says.

Moreover, it is likely that CAR T-cell therapy specifically will become part of standard treatment in the future. Similar to autologous stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell therapy requires planning with the patient, Mark continues. As such, CAR T-cell therapy may be mostly utilized as a minimal residual disease–guided, elective treatment rather than a rescue treatment for patients with multiple myeloma, Mark concludes.