Multiple myeloma in 2026: MRD, BCMA therapies, CAR-T, and the path to cure

This VJHemOnc podcast explores how evolving treatment strategies, immunotherapies, and MRD-driven approaches are reshaping the management of multiple myeloma and precursor disease. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses early intervention strategies in smoldering myeloma and presents findings from the CAR-PRISM study (NCT05767359) evaluating cilta-cel in high-risk smoldering disease. Kwee Yong, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, University College London, London, UK, highlights advances in understanding the genomic and immune drivers of progression in smoldering myeloma. Pieter Sonneveld, MD, PhD, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, reviews evolving frontline treatment strategies, including quadruplet regimens, combination maintenance, and the growing role of sustained MRD negativity. Rakesh Popat, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, University College London Hospitals, London, UK, discusses BCMA-targeted therapies, including findings from the DREAMM-6 (NCT03544281) and REALiTEC-2 (NCT06285318) studies evaluating belantamab mafodotin and teclistamab in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Finally, Nikhil Munshi, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, explores evolving concepts of cure and the role of sustained MRD negativity in defining long-term remission in multiple myeloma.