Hitting Both the Surface and Interior of Multiple Myeloma cells Using New Immunotherapies with Dr. Djordje Atanackovic, MD

Dr. Djordje Atanackovic of the Huntsman Cancer Institute explains the difference between genetic therapy (targeting specific genes or proteins) and cellular therapy (like auto and allo transplants and CAR T cell therapy) in multiple myeloma. He stresses that these immunotherapies will likely be used in combination with other existing treatments because of the complicated nature of the disease and uses elotuzumab as a perfect example. By itself it doesn't work much, but with Revlimid, it works extremely well. He also describes cancer testis antigens, or the ability to target the interior of the myeloma cell and not just the surface of the cell. Hitting the interior of the cell means that the cell can never "trick" the treatments by hiding the target - something that happens with treatments that target the surface of the myeloma cell alone. This methodology is not as far along as the other immunotherapies, like monoclonal antibodies, but is yet another way of using the immune system to kill myeloma.  Clinical Trials Discussed in This Show NY-ESO-1  The Myeloma Crowd Radio Show With Dr. Djordje Atanackovic