Targeted Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific changes in cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to be more precise. They fight cancer cells while causing less harm to other cells in the body.  

These are the latest targeted therapies that are available to treat multiple myeloma.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your health care team. Be sure to tell your health care team about any side effects you do have.

All Available Treatments

IV or Injection =
Pill =

Treatment Type

Bispecific B-cell Maturation Antigen (DCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell Engager

Drug Name
Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Cytokine Release Syndrome
Potential Side Effects
Adverse drug reaction Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Headache Infections Musculoskeletal pain Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • Tecvayli is a bispecific BCMA-directed CD3 T-cell engager, for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received 4 or more previous lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
  • Tecvayli is given as an injection under the skin, starting with a step-up dosing schedule over the first week, then dosing is usually weekly. 
  • Tecvayli is associated with cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a life-threatening side effect that must be carefully monitored.

Treatment Type

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDAC Inhibitor)

Drug Name
Farydak® (panobinostat) (Pill)
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Infections Low blood counts Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • Farydak is given in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone (a steroid).
  • This type of drug can affect the lifecycle of myeloma cells. It is an oral medicine used for patients whose multiple myeloma comes back after treatment (relapsed) or doesn’t respond to other treatments (refractory).
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.

Treatment Type

Monoclonal Antibodies

Drug Names
Darzalex® (daratumumab) (IV)
Darzalex Faspro™ (daratumumab & hyaluronidase-fihj) (IV)
Empliciti™ (elotuzumab) (IV)
Sarclisa® (isatuximab-irfc) (IV)
Potential Side Effects - All Drugs
Adverse drug reaction Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Low blood counts
Potential Side Effects - More common with Darzalex Faspro and Sarclisa combination injections
Blood pressure changes Fever Eye problems Infections Nausea/vomiting Pain Shortness of breath Skin/nail changes Sleeping problems
Important Things to Know
  • Daratumumab targets the CD38 protein in myeloma cells.
  • Darzalex Faspro is similar to Darzalex, but it is given as an injection under the skin in combination with bortezomib, melphalan, pomalidomide, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and prednisone.
  • Elotuzumab targets SLAMF7, found on myeloma cells.
  • Isatuximab-irfc targets the CD38 protein in myeloma cells used in combination with carfilzomib or pomalidomide and dexamethasone.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.                       

Treatment Type

Peptide-drug Conjugates

Drug Name
Pepaxto® (melphalan flufenamide) (IV)
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Fever Infections Low blood counts Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • Peptide-drug conjugates are drugs used to block the growth of myeloma cells by blocking the action of abnormal protein that stimulates the growth of myeloma cells.
  • Pepaxto is used in combination with dexamethasone.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.                        

Treatment Type

Proteasome Inhibitors

Drug Names
Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) (IV)
Ninlaro® (ixazomib) (Pill)
Velcade® (bortezomib) (IV)
Potential Side Effects - All Drugs
Constipation Diarrhea Low blood counts Nausea/vomiting Infections
Potential Side Effects - Velcade
Neuropathy
Important Things to Know
  • Proteasome inhibitors cause cell death in myeloma cells. These drugs are given as a pill, intravenously (IV), or as a shot under the skin.
  • Ninlaro is approved for relapsed myeloma used with Revlimid and dexamethasone (a steroid).
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.                        

Treatment Type

Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE)

Drug Name
Xpovio® (selinexor) (Pill)
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Infections Low blood counts Nausea/vomiting Weight/appetite changes
Important Things to Know
  • This type of drug affects the lifecycle of myeloma cells and causes them to self-destruct. It is an oral medicine used for patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma.
  • Xpovio is given in combination with dexamethasone (a steroid) or bortezomib (as a shot under the skin).
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.