New treatments for multiple myeloma are a popular topic among MyMyelomaTeam members. Many discuss a new approach called B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted therapy. This type of treatment shows promise for people with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) — cancer that has returned or stopped responding to previous treatments.

One member who’d just started a BCMA-targeted therapy wrote, “The drug isn’t chemo. It teaches your immune system to attack the BCMA receptor on the cancer cells and kill them.” Another responded, “Thanks for sharing this information. I’m going to speak to my oncologist about it.”

Anti-BCMA therapy is a targeted treatment that focuses mainly on destroying cancer cells, leaving most healthy cells intact.

Learning about new therapies can help you have better conversations with your doctor. Maybe you’ve already heard of anti-BCMA therapy, or maybe this treatment option is new to you. Either way, read on to understand how these drugs work and how they’re different from other treatments.

What Is B-Cell Maturation Antigen?

In multiple myeloma, plasma cells develop genetic changes that cause them to become cancerous. B-cell maturation antigen is a protein found on nearly all multiple myeloma cells. BCMA usually isn’t found on any healthy cells, except for some mature B cells and plasma cells.

Because BCMA is on myeloma cells but not regular cells, it makes a good target for treatment. Anti-BCMA drugs are a type of immunotherapy — they help your immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Anti-BCMA therapy is a targeted treatment that focuses mainly on destroying cancer cells, leaving most healthy cells intact. This approach differs greatly from myeloma treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants, and surgery.

Who Are BCMA-Targeted Therapies For?

BCMA-targeted therapies are approved for adults living with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Relapsed myeloma happens when myeloma treatments work at first, but then the blood cancer returns. Refractory multiple myeloma happens when the blood cancer doesn’t respond to treatment at all.

Doctors will recommend anti-BCMA therapies only after someone has tried at least four treatment regimens, with at least three types of drugs. These might include:

• An immunomodulatory drug, such as pomalidomide (Pomalyst), lenalidomide (Revlimid), or thalidomide (Thalomid)
• A proteasome inhibitor, such as ixazomib (Ninlaro), carfilzomib (Kyprolis), or bortezomib (Boruzu, Velcade)
• An anti-CD38 drug, such as daratumumab (Darzalex) or isatuximab-ifrc (Sarclisa)

Read more about treatment options for relapsed myeloma.

Currently Approved BCMA Therapies

BCMA-targeted therapies are a new modality, or type of treatment, for myeloma. As of July 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these anti-BCMA therapies for the treatment of multiple myeloma:

• Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti)
• Elranatamab-bcmm (Elrexfio)
• Idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma)
• Linvoseltamab-gcpt (Lynozyfic)
• Teclistamab-cqyv (Tecvayli)

Each treatment targets BCMA in a slightly different way. Idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.

There are currently six anti-BCMA therapies approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Teclistamab-cqyv, elranatamab-bcmm, and linvoseltamab-gcpt are bispecific T-cell engagers, or BiTEs. People sometimes receive more than one BCMA-targeted therapy, depending on the situation.

Idecabtagene Vicleucel

Idecabtagene vicleucel, sold under the brand name Abecma, is a CAR T-cell therapy — it works by modifying your T cells. To treat multiple myeloma, your T cells are altered so they identify, target, and attack BCMA on myeloma cells. CAR T-cell therapies are developed specifically for a single person and given in one infusion.

The FDA approved Abecma for RRMM in March 2021 based on results in clinical trials. In these trials, the overall response rate (the number of people whose blood cancer went away or got partially better) for Abecma was 72 percent. The complete response rate (the number of people whose blood cancer was undetectable on tests after treatment) was 28 percent. Among those who had a complete response, about 65 percent had their response last for at least a year before myeloma appeared again. (This measure is known as the duration of response.)

Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, sold under the brand name Carvykti, is another type of CAR T-cell therapy. In February 2022, the FDA approved Carvykti to treat RRMM.

Like Abecma, Carvykti is a CAR T-cell therapy given as a single infusion. However, Abecma binds to BCMA in one place, whereas Carvykti binds to BCMA in two places.

Carvykti was approved based on the overall response rate and duration of response in clinical trials. Carvykti’s overall response rate was 98 percent. The median duration of response was 22 months. This means that, for half of the participants, the benefits of treatment lasted longer than 22 months, while for the other half, the myeloma started to come back sooner.

Although anti-BCMA CAR T-cell therapies are approved for people with RRMM, they can be hard to access. It takes time to develop these custom-made treatments, so they may not be the best option if you need treatment right away.

Teclistamab-Cqyv

Bispecific T-cell engagers are another new treatment for RRMM. BiTEs are a type of monoclonal antibody — laboratory-made proteins that work like the antibodies your body naturally uses to find and fight infections and cancer.

BiTEs like teclistamab-cqyv target myeloma in two ways. One part of the bispecific antibody binds to BCMA on the myeloma cell, and the other part binds to a nearby T cell. This connection activates the T cell’s cytotoxic (cell-killing) ability, releasing substances that destroy the myeloma cell.

In October 2022, teclistamab-cqyv (sold under the brand name Tecvayli) became the first FDA-approved BCMA bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The approval was based on clinical trial results showing an overall response rate of 62 percent. Tecvayli is given as a subcutaneous injection (into the fat under the skin).

Elranatamab-Bcmm

Elranatamab-bcmm, sold under the brand name Elrexfio, is a BCMA-targeting bispecific antibody approved by the FDA in August 2023 for RRMM. In clinical trials, Elrexfio showed an overall response rate of 58 percent.

Elrexfio is given as a subcutaneous injection. It works by binding to BCMA on myeloma tumor cells and T cells, causing myeloma cell death.

Unlike CAR T-cell therapies, BCMA bispecific antibodies don’t need to be manufactured specifically for each person. This “off-the-shelf” approach means they’re available more quickly and are generally easier to get.

Linvoseltamab-Gcpt

Approved in July 2025 under the brand name Lynozyfic, linvoseltamab-gcpt is another bispecific T-cell engager that targets BCMA. It’s indicated for adults with RRMM who’ve already tried four lines of therapy. In clinical studies, the overall response rate for linvoseltamab-gcpt was 70 percent. Linvoseltamab-gcpt was granted FDA fast track and priority review status due to its promising results.

A Treatment in Development

The newest BCMA-targeted therapy in the works for multiple myeloma is P-BCMA-ALLO1, developed by Poseida Therapeutics. In March 2024, the FDA granted this experimental drug an orphan drug designation — a special status to encourage the development of treatments for rare diseases. P-BCMA-ALLO1 is being studied for adults whose myeloma has relapsed or stopped responding to previous treatment.

Early results from the first phase of clinical trials in 2023 suggest that this CAR T-cell therapy is likely safe and effective. The CAR T cells travel to the bone marrow and remain active for at least six weeks, continuing to attack cancer cells.

If you or your loved one has relapsed or refractory myeloma, and four or more lines of therapy haven't worked, anti-BCMA immunotherapy might be an option.

At the 2023 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, researchers reported that 82 percent of people treated with P-BCMA-ALLO1 showed an objective response — meaning their cancer shrank or disappeared.

Side Effects of BCMA-Targeted Therapies

Like all medications, including those sold over the counter, anti-BCMA therapies can cause side effects or toxicities. However, not every person will experience every side effect. Your doctor knows the specifics of your condition and can help you understand which side effects you’re more or less likely to experience.

Common Side Effects

BCMA-targeted therapies for RRMM share some common side effects:

• Cytokine release syndrome (when the immune system releases too many proteins, affecting other cells)
• Infection
• Tiredness
• Musculoskeletal pain (pain in the muscles, bone, joints, ligaments, or tendons)
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Poor appetite

Rare Side Effects of Abecma

The FDA prescribing information lists rare but serious side effects of Abecma for the treatment of multiple myeloma, including:

• Bleeding disorders
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Cardiomyopathy (issues with heart muscle pumping)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (buildup of blood cells that causes damage)
• Severe infection
• Seizure
• Blood clots
• Abnormal buildup of lung fluid
• Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), a complication that causes side effects related to brain function, such as confusion and problems with talking

Rare Side Effects of Carvykti

Rare but serious side effects of Carvykti for the treatment of multiple myeloma include:

• Abnormal heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (buildup of blood cells that causes damage)
• Tumor lysis syndrome (when tumor contents seep into the bloodstream)
• Stroke
• Seizure
• Kidney failure
• Blood clots
• ICANS

Rare Side Effects of Tecvayli

Rare but serious side effects specific to Tecvayli for the treatment of multiple myeloma include:

• Febrile neutropenia (high fever with low blood cell counts)
• ICANS
• Severe infection
• Seizure
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (an autoimmune nerve condition)

• Liver failure

Rare Side Effects of Elrexfio

Rare but serious side effects of Elrexfio for the treatment of multiple myeloma include:

• ICANS
• High fever with low blood counts
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Heart failure
• Blood clots

Rare Side Effects of Lynozyfic

Lynozyfic includes a box warning — the FDA’s most serious type of warning — for serious side effects including:

• Cytokine release syndrome
• Damage to the nervous system, including ICANS

Because of the risk of adverse effects, Lynozyfic, along with Elrexfio and Tecvayli, is available only through a restricted program. This program ensures people are closely monitored and get the care they need if side effects occur.

Learn More About Anti-BCMA Immunotherapy

If you or your loved one with myeloma has already tried four treatments for multiple myeloma that haven’t worked, or if your myeloma has relapsed after four or more lines of therapy, you may qualify for BCMA-targeted immunotherapy. If you’d like to learn more about anti-BCMA treatments, ask your myeloma specialist if they might be safe and effective for you.

Read more about life expectancy with relapsed/refractory myeloma.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMyelomaTeam is the social network for people with multiple myeloma and their loved ones. On MyMyelomaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with multiple myeloma.

Have you considered or tried an anti-BCMA immunotherapy? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.