Collaborative Care Is Redefining Survival in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) management has evolved dramatically over the past decade, shifting from a fragmented, treatment-centered approach to a coordinated, patient-centered model. As therapeutic options expand—including immunotherapies, targeted agents, and cellular therapies—collaborative care is increasingly recognized as essential to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients living with MM.

The Shift Toward Multidisciplinary Care

Historically, MM treatment often occurred in silos, with limited coordination between the oncology department, transplant teams, and supportive care services. However, this model is no longer sufficient for a disease characterized by complexity, relapse, and evolving treatment strategies.

“Multiple myeloma is not a disease that can be managed in silos,” C. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, director of the Sylvester Myeloma Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said in a news release. “The best outcomes come from coordinated care that integrates early detection, advanced diagnostics, evolving therapies, and long-term monitoring.”¹

Multidisciplinary care teams now commonly include hematologist-oncologists, transplant specialists, pharmacists, infectious disease experts, and supportive care providers. This integrated approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive management across all stages of disease, from diagnosis through maintenance therapy and relapse.^1,2

Navigating a Nonlinear Treatment Journey

Unlike many cancers, MM does not follow a predictable or linear treatment path. Patients often cycle through multiple lines of therapy, such as induction regimens, autologous stem cell transplantation, maintenance therapy, and newer options (eg, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies).²

“[Patients with] multiple myeloma go back and forth between different types of treatment,” explained Amer Beitinjaneh, MD, MPH, professor of transplantation and cellular therapy at the Miller School of Medicine, who leads Sylvester’s Transplant, Cellular and Viral Therapy Site Disease Group. “There is no linear progression, and all the specialists need to communicate constantly.”¹

This dynamic treatment landscape underscores the importance of continuous communication among providers. Coordination allows clinicians to adjust therapies based on disease progression, treatment response, and patient-specific factors, while minimizing delays and reducing the risk of complications.

Precision Medicine and Advanced Diagnostics

Advances in genomics and immunology are further driving the need for collaborative care. Precision medicine approaches are increasingly used to tailor therapies based on individual patient characteristics, including genetic mutations and immune system profiles.³

“For example, we are conducting genomic sequencing of baseline samples and follow-up samples from patients, and we are correlating the data with clinical outcomes,” Landgren said. “We are also seeking to characterize the immune system of the individual patients to see how that may have played a role in response to therapy and clinical outcomes.”¹

These innovations require close collaboration between laboratory scientists, clinicians, and pharmacists to translate complex data into actionable treatment decisions. As a result, team-based care models are better positioned to incorporate emerging evidence into clinical practice.

The Expanding Role of Pharmacists

Pharmacists have a critical role within the multidisciplinary team, particularly as MM treatment regimens become more complex. Responsibilities include optimizing medication selection, managing adverse effects, ensuring adherence, and educating patients about therapy expectations.^2,4

With the increasing use of oral agents and combination therapies, pharmacists are also instrumental in identifying drug interactions and supporting transitions of care. Their involvement helps reduce medication-related complications and enhances patient safety, particularly in outpatient settings.⁴

Improving Outcomes and Quality of Life

Collaborative care models have been associated with improved clinical outcomes, including better disease control and enhanced patient satisfaction. By integrating expertise across specialties, these models address not only the cancer itself but also patients’ broader needs, including symptom management, infection prevention, and psychosocial support.^2,3

Importantly, this approach also reflects a broader shift in MM care—from focusing solely on survival to prioritizing long-term disease management and quality of life. As patients live longer with MM, coordinated care becomes essential to navigating the chronic nature of the disease.

Looking Ahead

As the MM treatment landscape evolves, collaborative care will remain a cornerstone of effective management. The integration of advanced diagnostics, novel therapies, and multidisciplinary expertise is reshaping what it means to live with MM.

For pharmacists and other health care professionals, embracing team-based care is not only beneficial but necessary to meet the growing complexity of MM treatment. By working together, care teams can deliver more personalized, efficient, and effective care, ultimately improving outcomes for patients facing this challenging disease.

REFERENCES

1. Broder-Singer R. Why collaborative care is changing what it means to live with multiple myeloma. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. March 31, 2026. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://news.med.miami.edu/team-based-care-multiple-myeloma-treatment/

2. NCCN. Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Multiple myeloma, version 5.2026. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1445

3. Rajkumar SV, Kumar S. Multiple myeloma current treatment algorithms. Blood Cancer J. 2020;10(9):94. doi:10.1038/s41408-020-00359-2

4. Dingli D, Ailawadhi S, Bergsagel PL, et al. Therapy for relapsed multiple myeloma: guidelines from the Mayo stratification for myeloma and risk-adapted therapy. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(4):578-598. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.01.003