Proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory but behave like natural antibodies that fight infection and disease. They target cancer cells and interfere with how they grow and survive. Available drugs include daratumumab and elotuzumab (in combination with lenalidomide).

How they are given – Monoclonal antibodies are injected into a vein (intravenously) or under the skin (subcutaneously).

Side effects – As these drugs are often given as an injection, they may cause an allergic reaction. Other possible side effects include a fever, nausea, diarrhoea and low blood pressure.

What is CAR T-cell immunotherapy?

There is a new treatment called CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell immunotherapy. However, at the time of publication (September 2022), it is not yet generally available for treating myeloma. CAR T-cell immunotherapy may sometimes be available through clinical trials. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial may be an option for you.

How it works – T-cells are part of the immune system and their job is to hunt down and attack abnormal cells in the body. For CAR T-cell immunotherapy, a blood sample is taken and T-cells are extracted from the blood. The T-cells are modified to target myeloma and then injected back into the body where they identify and attack myeloma cells.