Clinical updates of B‑cell maturation antigen‑targeted therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) and relapsed/refractory MM (Review).

Abstract

Despite significant progress in managing multiple myeloma (MM) in recent years, certain patients still have a short duration of therapeutic response, often relapsing within 18 months. These patients typically have high‑risk genetic mutations and may show little to no response to current treatments, highlighting the need for further exploration of optimal therapeutic targets for MM. B‑cell maturation antigen (BCMA), highly expressed in mature B lymphocytes and plasma cells and upregulated in MM, is a promising therapeutic target. Various BCMA‑targeted strategies, including antibody‑drug conjugates, bispecific T‑cell engagers and chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell therapy, are under clinical evaluation to optimize efficacy and safety. This review summarizes the latest clinical updates on these strategies, highlights their effectiveness in MM and relapsed/refractory MM and provides future perspectives and recommendations for overcoming current challenges.