Wang et al. review the efficacy of elotuzumab for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and discuss the latest clinical trial data reported for this agent. Wang Y et al. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9: 55. doi:10.1186/s13045-016-0284-z

This articles reviews the clinical efficacy of immunomodulatory drugs, their structure-function relationship, molecular mechanisms of action, and associated second primary malignancies and thrombosis. Holstein SA & McCarthy PL. Drugs 2017; 77: 505–520. doi:10.1007/s40265-017-0689-1

A phase 1 study, S1211, has also reported on the safety of maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed high risk myeloma. 39  The trial examined the use of lenalidomide, bortezomib, elotuzumab and dexamethasone as maintenance therapy, and suggests little additive toxicity with the incorporation of elotuzumab to lenalidomide and bortezomib based therapy.

A comprehensive overview of the latest updates in 2016 and a prospective look towards the therapeutic landscape in 2017 for patients with multiple myeloma.  Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2017; 14: 73–74. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.221

An expert review of current treatment options for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, the mechanism of action of panobinostat, and how panobinostat fits into the current therapeutic landscape. San-Miguel JF, Einsele H, & Moreau P. Adv Ther 2016; 33: 1896–1920. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0413-7

Elotuzumab has recently been granted breakthrough status based on results from a phase II study evaluating elotuzumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone in patients with RRMM.

Specifically, whether treatments such as the anti-CD319 antibody elotuzumab 112, 113 , the anti-CD38 antibodies daratumumab 114, 115 , chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (directed against B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) 116 or the immunoglobulin κ light chain 117 ) or immune-checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab 118 and atezolizumab 119 ), will be effective regardless of the genomic characteristics of the tumour, and the effect of these strategies on clonal selection remains to be explored.

The authors review the plethora of novel agents currently in development or recently approved for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Naymagon L & Abdul-Hay M. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9: 52. doi:10.1186/s13045-016-0282-1

The SWOG-1211 is the first trial focusing on high-risk MM patients who are transplant ineligible or have deferred ASCT, randomizing patients to bortezomib–lenalidomide–dexamethasone with/without addition of elotuzumab (monoclonal antibody targeting CS1/SLAM7 that is overexpressed on plasma cells).