Immunomodulatory Drugs (IMiDs) in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

The clinical use of IMiDs in MM has significantly improved long-term survival and quality of life. Future studies are looking into novel biomarkers predictive of outcome in MM and new combinations of lenalidomide and pomalidomde with PI, monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint blockers and several other chemotherapies.

Standardization of sampling and sample preparation for analysis of human monocyte subsets in peripheral blood

“…Thalidomide has beneficial effects against leprosy [367], as well as anti-angiogenic effects [368]. The beneficial effect against myeloma was detected two decades ago, and both thalidomide and its analogues, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, are currently used in myeloma treatment [369][370][371][372]. These drugs have antiangiogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects [371,372], and they are typically used in combination with steroids or proteasome inhibitors in myeloma treatment [373].…”

Potential diagnostic value of circulating miRNA for multiple myeloma: A meta-analysis

“…The onset of MM is a gradual evolutionary process, from the initial monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to smoldering MM, intramedullary MM, and finally to non-bone marrow MM / plasma cell leukemia (PCL) [6] , [7] . Despite the advent of multiple targeted new drugs such as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) [8] and proteasome inhibitors (PI) [9] , which have greatly improved the quality of life of patients with MM, some patients have been affected by cytogenetic abnormalities and changes in the bone marrow microenvironment, and malignant transformation of plasma cells has occurred, causing MGUS to progress to MM [10] . As the traditional gold standard for diagnosing MM, bone marrow biopsy may not be accepted by all patients, because of its invasive injury that causes pain for patients, and the condition may have reached an advanced stage.…”

Immunomodulatory Drugs Alter the Metabolism and the Extracellular Release of Soluble Mediators by Normal Monocytes

“…Thalidomide and its derivatives lenalidomide and pomalidomide are used in the treatment of multiple myeloma [29][30][31][32][33][34]. The antimyeloma effect is probably due to both direct and indirect effects on the myeloma cells, including immunomodulation as well as anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and direct antiproliferative effects [31,32,35]. These drugs are often combined with steroids and/or proteasome inhibitors [34] and can be used in frontline therapy [34].…”