Elotuzumab in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is still considered an incurable disease. However, drugs with different mechanisms of action that can improve the efficiency of treatment offer hope. Still, there are concerns about an unacceptable increase in toxicity with such regimens. The results of recently published clinical studies of elotuzumab in combination with lenalidomide/dexamethasone or pomalidomide/dexamethasone confirm previous hopes to improve the effect of that treatment. Humanized monoclonal antibodies aimed at SLAMF7 stimulate natural killer cells to fight against MM cells. Elotuzumab used in combination with lenalidomide/dexamethasone or with pomalidomide/dexamethasone is approved by the US FDA to treat patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. The article is a summary of the recent knowledge about the possibility of using elotuzumab in the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory MM and shows its potential uses in the future.

Keywords: SLAMF7; efficacy; elotuzumab; immune-stimulating therapy; monoclonal antibody; multiple myeloma; safety; treatment.