If treatments, meds, new and old, keep the numbers down, then why go through this procedure and wind up on the same maintenance regime ?

I chose not to have the SCT at this time, and at my last appointment my oncologist said that my numbers are looking good and still declining in the right direction. Prayerfully in the next 2 to 3 months I will be where I need to be. Praying that it is sooner. Yes, this was a tough decision but it wouldn't correct what my major issue is which is my back pain so I chose not to put my body through all that extra stuff and still will be in the same state. I will still be on the same regimen with or without the SCT.

Hubby chose not to do SCT at the time of diagnosis because he was wanting to get to 55yrs to retire. After finally responding to some novel therapies and wanting to travel, he chose to forgo SCT. Darzalex was to one to finally knock out his m-spike. He is currently on low does Pomylst as maintainence until his numbers change, to date 6 months of maintaining.

7 years for my husband. He did have his stem cells collected for potential future use, but we did not continue with the trsnsplant. He has done very well with his treatment regimen.

I know we made the right choice not going through the transplant process.
Even after the transplant, he would still be on the same meds. His age, length of recovery etc, etc . There are new meds all the time.

This is s personal choice, and may not be the best for everyone

Letitia

Hi Donna - Glad to hear that you're doing well.

Do you know from your FISH Report if your MM has CD38 Markers?
Looking back to my Biopsy from a year ago, it reports that my MM had Abnormal CD38. The Article Link below talks about how these Immunotherapies work. Without the Abnormal CD38, I'm expecting DarzFP may not be as effective.

Immunotherapy Link:
https://www.mymyelomateam.com/resources/immunot...

Here's an excerpt:
Darzalex
Darzalex (daratumumab) works by targeting the cell receptor known as CD38 on the surface of myeloma cells. While other cells in the body express CD38, myeloma cells display a very high density of these molecules on their cell surfaces. Once Darzalex binds to CD38 on the myeloma cell, it will attract immune cells known as natural killer cells to come and destroy the myeloma cell.

Sarclisa
Sarclisa (isatuximab-ifrc) works similarly to Darzalex. It recognizes CD38 on the surface of myeloma cells and recruits other immune cells, including natural killer cells, to come and kill the myeloma cell.

Empliciti
Empliciti (elotuzumab) targets a surface receptor of myeloma cells known as the SLAM family member 7 (SLAMF7). The SLAMF7 receptor appears in large numbers on myeloma cells, and it promotes the growth of myeloma cells. Empliciti has been shown to block the activity and growth promoted by SLAMF7 and target myeloma cells for destruction by natural killer cells.

Blenrep
Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf) is a monoclonal antibody attached to a cytotoxic (cell-killing) drug. This combination is known as an antibody-drug conjugate. The target of Blenrep is B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is displayed on myeloma cells and normal B cells in the immune system. The antibody binds to a myeloma cell, allowing the cytotoxic drug to enter the cell and induce cell death. Blenrep also targets myeloma for destruction by other cells in the immune system, including natural killer cells.