Podcast: Shifting treatment paradigm in multiple myeloma: a podcast integrating ASH 2025 data with patient and physician perspectives

In this plain language podcast, highlights from the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2025) are discussed, with insights from the perspective of an expert patient and physician experienced in the field of multiple myeloma (MM). This podcast aims to enhance the communication and understanding of complex scientific data on MM among a broad audience, including both specialists and non-specialists, and help guide the partnership between patients and clinicians in making informed treatment decisions. Three key topics are covered by the podcast: Emerging evidence supporting a shift to earlier use of T-cell directed therapies facilitating an earlier immune response in MM patients; evidence for proactive strategies to optimize the patient outcomes and experience with T-cell-redirecting therapies; and an overview of novel T-cell-directed regimens entering the field for typically difficult-to-treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We will discuss the growing body of clinical trial data showing that, aside from the proven benefits observed in the RRMM setting, shifting bispecific T-cell engagers and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy into earlier lines of therapy enhances outcomes and may even offer potential for cure. In addition, we will consider how the findings from retrospective and real-world studies inform proactive strategies to optimize the patient experience with T-cell-redirecting therapy use, focusing on mitigation of commonly seen side effects and reducing treatment burden. We will also provide a roundup of novel T-cell-directed regimens that are in development for MM. Finally, we will discuss what these data outputs mean for the immediate future of treatment for MM, and how understanding MM patient experience with bispecifics and CAR T therapies, particularly effects on patient overall wellbeing, can guide therapy selection and ensure that patient-centered care, in partnership with clinicians, is a realistic goal.