When multiple myeloma comes back after treatment or stops responding to treatment, your care team may recommend a different combination of medicines. Findings from a phase 3 clinical trial show promising results for a combination that includes iberdomide, a newer type of treatment for multiple myeloma.
The results found that people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma were more likely to have a deep response to treatment when they received the iberdomide treatment combination.
More people had no detectable myeloma after treatment
One important way doctors measure how well multiple myeloma responds to treatment is through minimal residual disease (MRD) testing.
MRD testing looks for very small amounts of myeloma cells that may remain after treatment. Being MRD-negative means that no myeloma cells were detected with the test. While MRD negativity does not mean the cancer is cured, it can show that treatment has produced a very deep response.
In the EXCALIBER-RRMM trial, 41.1% of people receiving iberdomide, daratumumab and dexamethasone achieved an MRD-negative complete response, compared with 20.7% of people receiving the alternative treatment combination of daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone.
That means about twice as many people had this deep response with the iberdomide combination.
What does this mean if your myeloma has returned?
These findings are encouraging because they show that iberdomide may help some people achieve a deeper response after their myeloma has returned or stopped responding to previous treatment.
The FDA granted accelerated approval to iberdomide in combination with daratumumab and dexamethasone in August 2026 for certain people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The approval provides another treatment option for people whose myeloma has already been treated with certain types of medicines.
Researchers are still following patients in the trial to learn whether these deeper responses also help people live longer without their myeloma getting worse. Longer-term results will provide more information about the treatment’s benefits.
What about side effects?
Iberdomide can cause side effects, and low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection, were particularly common in the trial. Your care team can monitor your blood counts and help manage side effects during treatment.
Other side effects, including severe diarrhea and fatigue, were less common.
A growing number of treatment options
Multiple myeloma treatment continues to change as researchers develop new ways to target the disease. Iberdomide is now being studied in combination with other newer treatments, including bispecific antibodies, as well as in earlier stages of treatment.
For people living with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, these advances mean there are more treatment options being studied and made available as researchers continue to look for ways to achieve deeper and longer-lasting responses.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Outcomes4Me is not acting as your caregiver, and any suggestions or guidance offered should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
