Chimeric antigen receptor T in the treatment of multiple myeloma – state of the art and future directions

Abstract

In spite of the introduction of several new drugs in the last 10 years, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. Thus, an adoptive cellular therapy using chimeric antigen receptor T (CART), a strategy to increase the frequency of tumor-directed and functionally active T cells targeting antigens present on the cancer cell, might change the treatment in MM as it did in lymphoma and ALL. There are several targets for CART therapy in MM on different levels of development, which are discussed in the manuscript. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) being tested in the studies of phase 1–2 is the most promising, but so far CART has not been approved in the cure of MM and remains an experimental approach. The hematological society is facing a new technology which with its potential ability to cure MM, in spite of its complexity, cost, and toxicity, will definitely and soon change the landscape of myeloma in Europe and world-wide.