CD38 as an immunotherapeutic target in multiple myeloma |
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Authors: | Francesca Bonello Mattia D’Agostino Maria Moscvin Chiara Cerrato Mario Boccadoro |
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Institution: | Myeloma Unit, Division of Hematology, University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACTIntroduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a currently incurable hematologic tumor with heterogeneous clinical behavior and prognosis. During the last years, survival improved due to a better understanding of MM biology and the development of novel drugs, although it still remains unsatisfactory in many cases: new drugs and treatment strategies are needed. CD38 is uniformly expressed at high levels on MM cells and, to a lesser extent, on the surface of normal hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, making this molecule an interesting target for immunotherapeutic approaches.Areas covered: This review discusses the preclinical and clinical experience on different immunotherapeutic agents targeting CD38 in MM.Expert commentary: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CD38 are currently changing the treatment scenario in MM, allowing physicians to reach unprecedented results, especially when anti-CD38 mAbs are used in combination with consolidated MM treatments. Other immunotherapies targeting CD38 – such as conjugated anti-CD38 mAbs, bispecific antibodies stimulating T cells to eliminate CD38+ MM cells, and CD38-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells – are interesting strategies, currently at earlier developmental stages. |
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Keywords: | CD38 monoclonal antibodies bispecific antibodies drug conjugates CAR T cells multiple myeloma |
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