Proteasome inhibition can restore BCMA expression, anti-BCMA CAR T-cell activity
BCMA loss on multiple myeloma (MM) cells is a resistance mechanism that contributes to relapse following anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. Plasma membrane-associated BCMA is degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, according to a report in Blood. Blocking BCMA degradation, via treatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, not only restored BCMA expression but also yielded clinical responses in patients who relapsed after anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy, but only if they had residual and/or expanding CAR T-cells.

Second selinexor combination in MM approved for reimbursement in South Korea
The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in South Korea has approved reimbursement for selinexor, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, as a treatment option at first relapse in patients with MM. The reimbursement took effect on March 1, 2026, and represents the second MM indication covered by the NHIS.

Early mortality after bispecific antibody therapy is high in real-world practice
According to a retrospective analysis of real-world data for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in seven countries treated with commercially available bispecific antibody therapies, early mortality — death within 12 months of therapy initiation — occurred in 34% of patients. These findings, reported in Blood Advances, highlight the challenge of early mortality, driven largely by disease progression, despite the efficacy of bispecific antibodies in RRMM.

Atrial fibrillation after transplant predicts poor survival in MM
According to a retrospective analysis of around 800 patients with myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplant, post-transplant atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is associated with a 5-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 4.5-fold higher risk for non-relapse mortality. The report, published in JACC: CardioOncology, supports pre-transplant cardiac risk assessment and risk-tailored post-transplant monitoring for patients with MM.

Codesigned patient-centered digital education on MM is feasible
Patient and caregiver education in myeloma care is critical, especially given the complexity of treatments. A report published in JMIR Formative Research describes a massive open online course, co-designed with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in France. Patients and caregivers who participated in this digital education program gained knowledge on treatments and self-management skills and valued the program.

Organoid model for bone and lymphoid-myeloid bone marrow developed
Researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a combined bone and lympho-myeloid bone marrow organoid — comBO — that can generate osteolineage, vascular, lymphoid, and myeloid compartments. A report published in Cell Stem Cell outlines how incorporation of myeloma cells into the comBO organoid recapitulated the bone marrow niche in MM, providing a platform for translational research and drug discovery.