Targeted treatments for cancer entail the targeted killing of cancerous cells. In the case of multiple myeloma, the plasma cells are affected. Therefore, it becomes imperative to treat and target these abnormal cells and their disruption of the immune system.

The drugs used in targeted treatment attach to the surface of protein receptors of the cancerous cells. Similar to any other type of cancer, treating multiple myeloma with targeted cancer treatments may be used alone or combined with other common cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

The main objective of targeted cancer treatment is to get rid of cancerous cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells and tissues. As a result, you may undergo any of the below-mentioned treatments:

1. Prescribed medicines

With multiple myeloma, the cancerous white blood cells accumulate near the bone marrow, greatly damaging the body’s immunity. However, myeloma cells differ from person to person, as far as structure. Vemurafenib is the most common medication used to target abnormal multiple myeloma cells. This medicine aims to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells while destroying the cancer.

2. Protease inhibitors

Proteasome inhibitors are meant for removing the unwanted proteins from the cancer cells. As a result, in the absence of the proteins, the cancer cells are not able to perform their function properly, get involved with the faulty proteins, and thereafter die out. The most common Proteasome inhibitors you are likely to be treated with are Carfilzomib, Ixazomib, and Bortezomib. These are generally injected into the vein under the skin. In some cases, they can even be taken in the form of capsules too, for example, Ixazomib is such a proteasome inhibitor.

3. Monoclonal antibodies

As the name implies, these drugs are injected into the body to target specific types of cancer cells. The drugs attach themselves to the substances (cancer cells). The bone marrow cancer is caused due to the accumulation of the cancerous plasma cells near the bone marrow. This directly harms your immunity. Upon injecting this drugs like Daratumumab, you will gain immunity in the long run. The drug targets the myeloma cells and kills the cancerous cells directly.

4. Other targeted drugs

Another common targeted therapy drug is Elotuzumab, which are prepared in the laboratory and work by attaching itself to the cancer cell, called SLAMF7, to kill them completely.