Pharmaceutical firms eye multiple myeloma amidst rising incidence rates

The increase has been faster in women since 2000.

The rising incidence of multiple myeloma (MM), particularly in relapsed and refractory settings, continues to attract pharmaceutical companies, driving efforts to address treatment challenges, according to BMI.

Over the past two decades, incidence rates have risen steadily, with the disease being more prevalent in men, though the increase has been faster in women since 2000.

Immunotherapies, including monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T therapies, and bispecific T-cell engagers, have gained increasing FDA approval for both first-line and refractory MM treatments.

Meanwhile, the development of innovative cancer therapies has been largely driven by the identification of target proteins specific to cancer cells.

“Target proteins are easier to identify in blood cancers for many reasons, blood cells have discrete sets of unique markers that have been well categorised,” the report said.

Key targets like CD38, SLAMF7, and B-cell maturation antigens have led to the development of new therapies by multiple companies.