Editor’s Note: On October 19, 2024, the 8th Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) Summit was held in Seoul, South Korea. At this event, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) hosted the AMN Awards Ceremony. Prof. Wenming Chen from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, received the AMN Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of multiple myeloma (MM) and China’s progress in this field. Following the ceremony, Hematology Frontier had the privilege of interviewing Professor Chen. He shared his thoughts on this award, the development of the AMN, and his insights and outlook on the current and future treatment landscape for MM.

Hematology Frontier: First of all, congratulations on receiving the AMN Distinguished Achievement Award. This award is given to experts who have made outstanding contributions to the field of myeloma. Could you share your thoughts on receiving this award?

Prof. Wenming Chen: I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. The IMF, as the world’s first and largest foundation dedicated to myeloma, has made significant contributions through various work groups, such as the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and regional organizations like the Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) and European Myeloma Network (EMN). Since its inception over a decade ago, the AMN has evolved from a small group of experts to a committee with nearly 200 members from countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. I am privileged to be one of the founding members.

• AMN’s Evolution and Development

The AMN, founded in 2012 with support from the IMF, initially had 10 members across Asia, including myself and Professor Hou Jian from China. We started with studies focusing on Asian patients and published results in American Journal of Hematology. By 2017, we began holding annual academic conferences, expanding our agenda to cover doctor training, patient management, and patient education.

In recent years, the AMN Summit has added various sections, including:

1. Master Class: Originally launched in China, the Master Class program provides specialized training for young physicians across Asia, initially sending Chinese doctors to the IMF headquarters in Los Angeles for a two-week training program. This initiative now brings together doctors from multiple countries in Asia.
2. Patient Management and Education: The AMN holds events that focus on patient care and management, fostering connections among patients and offering educational programs led by experts.
3. High-Level Forums and the Distinguished Achievement Award: Starting in 2023, the summit includes the AMN Distinguished Achievement Award, inspired by the IMWG’s Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor outstanding contributions to the field.

• China’s Role in MM Research and Treatment Advancements

Receiving this award also represents the global recognition of China’s progress in MM research. In recent years, China has achieved significant breakthroughs in the treatment of MM, particularly in immunotherapy. For instance, as the Lead PI, I helped pave the way for the approval of CAR-T therapies in China. Additionally, I led the research and approval of the first domestically developed drug for MM in China, the Class 1 drug epunebemin, which was approved ahead of CAR-T therapy and made a substantial international impact. Such achievements highlight the collective efforts of experts in MM from China.

Looking to the future, I believe we will continue to see more innovative treatments and clinical research from China gain international attention and further elevate the standards of MM care.

• Innovations in MM Therapy: CAR-T, Bispecific Antibodies, and Beyond

The rapid introduction of CAR-T and bispecific antibodies (BsAb) has led to significant improvements in MM treatment outcomes. The current front-line therapy for MM involves four-drug combinations, such as DVRd, DKRd, or IVRd, with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This approach allows for remission durations of up to six years. Adding CAR-T as a second-line treatment extends remission even further, potentially giving patients a survival of over ten years.

Nevertheless, the economic feasibility of these therapies is an important consideration. Although CAR-T therapies are expensive, the cost in China is relatively more manageable than abroad. The next step in MM treatment may involve introducing CAR-T and BsAb therapies earlier in the treatment line, as studies show that using these therapies sooner results in better outcomes and a higher quality of life. We are also focused on improving patients’ quality of life, not only extending survival but also enabling them to live well despite the disease.

CAR-T and BsAb therapies have already transformed outcomes, offering two to three years of remission even for heavily pretreated patients. Remarkably, real-world data show that CAR-T and BsAb therapies perform as well as in clinical trials, suggesting promising future results for these therapies as they move further up the treatment line.

• Looking Ahead: Promising Targets and Directions in MM Research

While CAR-T and BsAb have provided significant benefits, MM remains challenging to cure. Researchers are actively exploring new treatment targets. The GPRC5D target, for example, is under intensive study. Small-molecule drugs are also advancing, particularly in targeting specific genetic mutations, such as t(11;14). China is actively contributing to this field, with my team leading the development of a TRAIL-modifying drug that has shown promising results.

The goal is for MM to eventually become a manageable chronic disease, much like diabetes or hypertension. Even if it cannot be cured, maintaining a high quality of life for patients remains our primary objective.

Prof. Wenming Chen

Prof. Wenming Chen is the Director of the Hematology Department at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital and the Director of the Beijing Multiple Myeloma Medical Research Center. He has held key roles in hematology across various national and international organizations, including the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and the Asian Myeloma Network (AMN). With over 300 publications and extensive involvement in clinical trials, he has spearheaded research in MM, CAR-T therapy, and new drug approvals. Prof. Chen’s research has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of MM, setting new standards in MM care in China.

This article outlines Prof. Wenming Chen’s recent recognition and provides insights into AMN’s development, as well as the progress of China’s multiple myeloma research on an international scale.