Sagar Lonial, MD | Authors

January 15, 2017

Unfortunately, while survival outcomes with novel therapies have improved, the fraction of patients with multiple myeloma who are cured of their disease remains low. Immune therapies offer the hope for further improvement in outcomes and higher rates of cure.

May 15, 2016

In this article, we elucidate the rationale for use of novel drug combinations in patients with myeloma, and review current evidence-based data supporting the use of specific combinations in various settings. We also attempt to craft a framework to guide clinicians in optimizing the use of combination therapies, to enable patients to derive maximal benefit.

May 28, 2015

We discuss some of the anticipated multiple myeloma trials with Sagar Lonial, MD, ahead of the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

September 15, 2013

Numerous small series of patients suggest that the prognosis for non-secretory myeloma patients is likely no worse than the prognosis for patients with traditional secretory myeloma, and in some settings may be superior.

August 15, 2013

The use of newer methods of disease assessment that focus on minimal residual disease may facilitate the long-term evaluation of IgD and IgE myeloma patients, even if the rare Ig subtype is not identified at diagnosis.

November 15, 2011

The introduction of new therapies has led to improved survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), even those with relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) disease.

December 15, 2010

The management of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone rapid change with the recent emergence of several effective novel agents that have added complexity to individualized treatment decision-making. This paper reviews the initial management of 276 patients with MM diagnosed and treated by 43 US-based community oncologists since January 1, 2008. The case survey data obtained are evaluated within the broad context of published findings from major phase III randomized trials and as such reveal potential education gaps and implications for oncology CME. Overall, the results reveal that most patients were symptomatic at diagnosis and were risk-stratified by fluorescene in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or cytogenetics. When analyzed by age, the overall symptomatology and biomarker-defined risk profiles appeared similar in the three age groups studied (

October 15, 2010

Clinical outcomes data for all of oncology include those from trial after trial demonstrating poor outcomes in older patients with cancer. Whether these are the result of limited biologic reserve, poor performance status, or inherently worse biological disease at the time of diagnosis, such age-based disparities have continued unabated for decades. However, for the first time, older patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are starting to enjoy the kinds of remission durations and overall survival (OS) seen in younger patients. In this review by Dr. Harousseau, we see that through the use of regimens such as MPV (melphalan and prednisone plus bortezomib), MPT (melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide), MPR (melphalan and prednisone plus lenalidomide), VMPT (bortezomib, melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide), and Rd (lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone), we can begin to provide older patients with MM with a median OS approaching the 4- to 5-year mark-a far cry from the median OS of 2.5 to 3 years seen with MP just 15 years ago. So what are the remaining hurdles and challenges to be addressed in the upcoming 10 years?

April 30, 2009

New treatments and an improved biologic understanding of why malignant plasma cells are able to survive have dramatically changed the natural history of multiple myeloma. Along with these new treatments, therapeutic options for patients at each stage of their disease have become a collection of confusing consonants. Combinations such as Rd,[1] CRd,[2] VD,[3] VTD,[4] VRD,[5] CyBorD,[6] PAD,[7] and BiRD[8] all produce impressive response rates in the induction therapy setting, and can be used for patients with relapsed disease as well.

June 01, 2007

Our better understanding of the complex interaction of multiple myeloma (MM) cells with their bone marrow microenvironment and the signaling pathways that are dysregulated in this process has resulted in a dramatic increase in the therapeutic agents available for this disease. A number of these new agents have demonstrated significant activity in patients with MM. Over the past 5 years, three drugs have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for therapy in MM—bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide. To date, the choice of therapy for MM is not individualized according to the biologic characteristics of the disease, but future studies should enable us to identify patients who may benefit most from certain therapeutic interventions, and thus develop individualized therapy for MM. In this review, we will present some of the treatment algorithms currently developed for patients with MM and focus on established advances in therapy, specifically with thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. We will also discuss some of the emerging novel therapeutic agents showing promise in phase I/II clinical trials in MM.