Currently, there’s no cure for multiple myeloma. This means that everyone with the condition will eventually experience relapse or refractory disease. When this happens, the focus of care shifts to finding a new medication – or a combination of therapies – that can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression, often for many years, said Shamudheen M. Rafiyath, MD, board-certified medical oncologist at Arizona Oncology.
If you are caring for someone facing relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, there are no formal guidelines, but some general tips and strategies can help make the journey a little easier for you and your loved one.
Understanding Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that arises from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.
“Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) refers to a disease that is nonresponsive to the chosen line of therapy in patients who had achieved a minimal response or better at some point previously in their disease,” Dr. Rafiyath said.
You may also hear the terms relapse and refractory used independently:
- Relapse refers to a previously treated myeloma that has progressed after prior therapy and requires new therapy.
- Refractory is a disease that is non-responsive to therapy or progresses within 60 days of the last line of therapy.
Relapse rates can vary depending on factors like age, overall health before diagnosis, and the specific characteristics of the myeloma itself. However, a 2016 study published in Leukemia found that around 16% of people with multiple myeloma relapse within a year of initial treatment.
Research also suggests that patients who undergo autologous stem cell transplantation may have improved outcomes.