Multiple Myeloma
Information about multiple myeloma and CAR-T cell therapy assessment
The information on this page is for general informational purposes. Whether CAR-T therapy is suitable for a specific patient is determined only through specialist physician evaluation. This page does not constitute medical advice.
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a blood disease that develops from plasma cells found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells normally produce antibodies as part of the immune system. In myeloma, the uncontrolled proliferation of these cells can create effects on the bone marrow, bones, kidneys and immune system.
The course of the disease varies from person to person. While long-term control can be achieved in some patients, the disease may recur after treatment or response to treatment may decrease in some patients. Therefore, laboratory results, imaging, symptoms and response to previous treatments are evaluated together during the follow-up process.
What are the symptoms?
Complaints that may be seen in multiple myeloma vary according to the areas affected by the disease. In some people, the disease may be detected during routine tests.
Chronic or increasing bone pain, especially in the lower back, back or rib area
Weakness, fatigue and signs of anemia
Frequent infections
Impairment in kidney functions
Symptoms associated with high calcium such as thirst, nausea, constipation or clouded consciousness
Unexplained weight loss
When is emergency evaluation needed? Sudden or severe back pain, weakness/numbness in legs, change in urination control, high fever, significant weakness or altered consciousness may require emergency evaluation.
How is diagnosis and evaluation done?
Blood and urine tests, bone marrow examination, imaging and genetic/molecular evaluations may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple myeloma. The aim is to evaluate the activity of the disease, its biological characteristics, organ involvement and response to treatment.
Serum and urine protein tests
Free light chain tests
Complete blood count and biochemistry results
Kidney functions and calcium level
Bone marrow pathology/flow cytometry results
PET/CT, MRI or low-dose whole body CT imaging reports
Cytogenetic or molecular risk information, if available
Previous treatments, response times and relapse history
Treatment approach
Multiple myeloma treatment is planned according to the patient's age, general health condition, disease risk characteristics, kidney functions and previous treatment history.
Treatment options may include different drug combinations, immunomodulatory treatments, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies in selected patients. Response to treatment is monitored with regular clinical examination and laboratory/imaging checks. When the disease recurs, the benefits and side effects from previous treatments are important in creating the new treatment plan.
When can CAR-T cell therapy be evaluated?
BCMA-targeted CAR-T cell therapy may be a subject of evaluation in appropriate patients whose disease has recurred after multiple treatment steps or who have not responded sufficiently to treatment.
What are the patient's previous treatment steps and what response did they give to these treatments?
What is the current activity and extent of the disease?
What are the bone marrow, blood test and imaging results?
What are the kidney, liver, heart and lung functions?
What is the infection risk and other comorbidities?
What is the patient's support need and follow-up plan throughout the treatment process?
Important: CAR-T therapy is not suitable for every patient with multiple myeloma. Eligibility for treatment is determined based on current medical documents, the patient's general condition and multidisciplinary evaluation.
Documents for evaluation
The following documents should be prepared for the eligibility evaluation:
- Current physician summary or epicrisis
- Diagnosis and most recent bone marrow report
- Recent serum/urine protein tests and free light chain results
- Free light chain results
- Complete blood count, kidney/liver functions and calcium level
- Imaging reports
- Applied treatments, dates, response and side effect history
- Autologous stem cell transplantation information, if any
- Current medication list
Frequently Asked Questions
The use and treatment sequence of these two approaches may vary according to the patient. It is not correct to give a general answer in the form of "replacing"; the decision is made by the specialist team based on treatment history and current clinical status.
Kidney function is one of the important topics in eligibility evaluation. However, a decision is not made with a single laboratory result alone; the entire clinical situation is evaluated together.
No. Current treatments should only be changed on the recommendation of the physician following you. The application evaluation should be conducted in coordination with the current treatment team.
Request an eligibility evaluation
Your medical documents are reviewed by our specialist team. Your application does not constitute a commitment to treatment; individual and multidisciplinary evaluation is required for each patient.