top of page

Multiple Myeloma

  • Jul 5, 2025
  • 3 min read

High risk MM:

  • High risk cytogenetics: t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), del 17p/monosomy17/TP53 mutation, 1q21 gain, MYC translocation, karyotype del 13

  • R-ISS III

  • Extramedullary disease

Standard risk MM:

  • Favorable cytogenetics: t(6;14), t(11;14), Hyperdiploid karyotype


International Staging System:

Stage I:   B2 microglobulin <3.5 or Alb >3.5

Stage II:  Not stage I or III

Stage III: B2 microglobulin 5.5


Revised- International Staging System:

Stage I:   ISS stage I + no high-risk chromosomal abnormality AND normal LDH

Stage II:  Not stage I or III

Stage III: ISS stage III + high-risk chromosomal abnormality OR high LDH


Revised 2- International Staging System:

Low risk: 0 point

  • Not stage II or III AND normal LDH AND no high risk chromosomal abnormality

Low intermediate: 0.5-1 points

  • Stage II OR high LDH OR high risk chromosomal abnormality

High intermediate risk: 1.5-2.5 points 

  • Any combination of high risk features which equals a score of 1.5-2.5

High risk: 3-5 points

  • Any combination of high risk features which equals a score of 3-5


Medications:

Lenalidomide: 

  • If CrCl >60: No adjustment

  • If CrCl 30-60: 10-15 mg daily

  • If CrCl <30: 15 mg every other day

  • If patient is on HD: 5 mg daily


  • Multiple myeloma and (Lenalidomide + Dexa): increases risk of thrombotic events → patients may need Aspirin or AC based on IMPEDE or SAVED scoring system. (You can search and memorize them or simply ignore them as I did)


Bortezomib:

  • Does not need dose adjustment in renal failure

  • Causes peripheral neuropathy

             - SQ causes less neuropathy compared to IV

  • Particularly effective in patients with high risk chromosomal abnormalities

  • If T.bili >1.5 xULN: dose  0.7 mg/m2 per injection

  • Needs prophylaxis for shingles: Valacyclovir 500 mg po BID


Daratumumab:

  • CD 38 antibody


Pomalidomide:

  • For patients who:

  • received at least one prior therapies including lenalidomide and Bortezomib

  • disease progressed within 60 days after the last treatment

  • Should not be given to patient if T.bili >2 and AST/ALT >3 xULN 

  • Reduce the dose 25% in patients on HD


Ixazomib:

  • For patients who received at least one prior therapies

  • 46% improvement in PFS in patients with high risk cytogenetics


Elotuzumab:

  • Targets SLAMF7 (on myeloma and NK cells)


Talquetamab:

  • Targets CD3 and GPRC5D


Zoledronic acid:

  • Side effects: myalgia, hypocalcemia, jaw osteonecrosis and renal failure

  • Dose if:

- CrCl >60: 4.0 mg daily

- CrCl 50-60: 3.5 mg daily

- CrCl 40-50: 3.3 mg daily

- CrCl 30-40: 3.0 mg daily

- CrCl <30: Zoledronic acid is contraindicated


Denosumab:

  • Can be offered to patients with kidney failure


Treatment regimens:

Non-transplant candidates:

  • Lenalidomide + Dexa

  • Lenalidomide + Dexa + Bortezomib (RVD) 

      - SWOG S0777 study: Adding Bortezomib to RD improves OS and PFS

  • Lenalidomide + Dexa + Daratumumab 

      - MAIA study: Adding Daratumumab to RD improves PFS 

  • Bortezomib + Melphalan + Prednisone (VMP)


Transplant eligible patients:

  • RVD

  • RVD + Daratumumab (GRIFFIN study)

  • Carfilzomib + Lenalidomide + Dexa

  • Avoid myelotoxic agents like Melphalan


Patients with myeloma kidney/renal failure:

  • Cyclophosphamide + Bortezomib + Dexa (CyBorD) 

  • These patients should not be treated with Lenalidomide initially. When the kidney function improves, treatment can be transitioned from CyBorD to RVD ± Daratumumab.


Refractory multiple myeloma (failed at least two prior treatments):

  • Pomalidomide + Dexa

  • Ixazomib + Lenalidomide + Dexa (TOURMALINE-MM1)

  • Elotuzumab + Lenalidomide + Dexa 

  • Elotuzumab + Pomalidomide + Dexa


Patients with significant neuropathy at baseline:

  • Daratumumab

  • Melphalan + Dexa (transplant ineligible)


Systemic Amyloidosis:

  • CyBorD + Daratumumab and hyaluronidase 

  • CyBorD

  • Daratumumab

  • Bortezomib + Melphalan + Dexa (transplant ineligible)

Related Posts

See All
Novel Therapies For Hematologic Malignancies

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell: Preferred for relapsed/refractory DLBCL if relapsed <1 year. Tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) Lisocabtagene mar

 
 
Mechanism of Action

Here is a list of common anticancer therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy), categorized by mechanism of action, along with information on their routes of administration.

 
 
Monoclonal Gammopathy

Background: Disorders characterized by the presence of a Monoclonal Ig (M protein) or its components, produced by: Clonal population of plasma cells: Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

 
 

© 2026 SchistoSite LLC. All rights reserved.

SchistoSite is an open-access medical education platform dedicated to advancing hematology and oncology education for healthcare professionals worldwide.

bottom of page