COMy 2020 | The importance of tailored treatment approach in multiple myeloma

Paul Richardson, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, highlights the importance of a tailored approach in treating patients with multiple myeloma. He establishes a difference in treatment depending on the salvage therapy options available. Dr Richardson argues that in the case that there are salvage therapies available, transplantation should be kept in reserve, considering that data does not show survival benefits of early transplantation over late transplantation. However, if salvage therapies are not easily accessible, transplantation should be resorted to in order to minimize loss of disease control. Moreover, Dr Richardson mentions that data suggests that the therapeutical approach should be different in standard-risk disease and high-risk disease. He also highlights MRD-negativity as being an increasingly promising end-point and emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up and maintenance. This interview took place during the Controversies in Multiple Myeloma (COMy) 2020 Virtual World Congress.