BCMA CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma–ready for take-off?

Abstract

Although the approval of new drugs has improved the clinical outcome of multiple myeloma (MM), it was widely regarded as incurable over the past decades. However, recent advancements in groundbreaking immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), have yielded remarkable results in heavily pretreated relapse/refractory patients, instilling hope for a potential cure. CAR-T are genetically modified cells armed with a novel receptor to specifically recognize and kill tumor cells. Among the potential targets for MM, the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) stands out since it is highly and almost exclusively expressed on plasma cells. Here, we review the currently approved BCMA-directed CAR-T products and ongoing clinical trials in MM. Furthermore, we explore innovative approaches to enhance BCMA-directed CAR-T and overcome potential reasons for treatment failure. Additionally, we explore the side effects associated with these novel therapies and shed light on accessibility of CAR-T therapy around the world.