This article is sponsored by GSK.
LIKE MOST PEOPLE, Dave didn’t go into his annual physical with any major health concerns. But his routine exam ended up being the start of something far from routine. “My doctor called me a day or two later to tell me I looked to be anemic,” he recalls. Coincidentally, the next day he slipped and fell in the bathroom, breaking his leg and hip.
The two seemingly unconnected events revealed a surprising diagnosis: Dave had an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that develops in plasma cells in the bone marrow, the soft and spongy tissue at the center of bones.
“I didn’t know what multiple myeloma was or how serious it could be,” Dave says. “But I’ve always had the attitude that if something breaks, you fix it.” From there, Dave focused on understanding what he was facing and working with his care team to determine the best path forward.
Multiple Myeloma: A Silent Problem
NORMALLY, YOUR PLASMA cells make antibodies called immunoglobulins, which help protect you from infection, explains Hakan Kaya, MD, a hematologic oncologist at Cancer Care Northwest in South Spokane, Washington. But when plasma cells become cancerous, they begin to multiply and produce abnormally high levels of immunoglobulins. “When those proteins build up in the bloodstream, they can cause problems,” Dr. Kaya says. “They may clog the kidneys and destroy the bone.” Cancerous cells also crowd out normal cells in the bone marrow, leading to anemia.
About 36,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are expected to be diagnosed this year. Of these, more than half—about 20,000—are diagnosed in men, and most people who are told they have the disease are at least 65 years old. There’s no known cause of the condition, Dr. Kaya says.
When recalling this diagnosis, Dave says in hindsight, there were likely signs of the disease before his fracture, but he mostly attributed them to getting older. This isn’t a surprising take since the most common symptoms of multiple myeloma include bone pain, fatigue caused by anemia, high calcium levels, and kidney problems, according to Dr. Kaya. Bone pain is by far the most common, present in 70 percent of newly diagnosed myeloma patients. “Pain that lasts for weeks or months and doesn’t go away is a sign that you need medical attention,” he says. Other warning signs can include frequent infections, bleeding or bruising easily, trouble breathing, weakness in the arms or legs, and feeling very tired.
Dave’s experience is actually quite typical. “It’s very common for patients to have symptoms of multiple myeloma for a long time, which they attribute to their age or other reasons,” Dr. Kaya says. “Often someone will fall and go to the hospital, thinking they have a routine fracture from the fall, but the doctors soon realize something else is going on.”
The Start of a Journey
AFTER HIS DIAGNOSIS, Dave underwent a series of treatments over the course of several years. While each initially helped, they all eventually stopped working, he says.
The journey hasn’t always been easy, Dave admits. “I’ve been living with multiple myeloma for many years, and unfortunately, over the years I’ve been through several periods of remission and relapse,” he says. “For each relapse I experienced, I felt a range of emotions, including fear, loss of hope, and anxiety for what comes next.”
“Most patients have multiple relapses—sometimes within a year, sometimes within five years. Multiple myeloma is not a curable disease; nearly all patients will eventually relapse,” Dr. Kaya says, adding that it’s important to stay positive. “Even with multiple relapses, we have many therapies available. People need to know that these relapses are expected, but treatment options are available.”
Advances in Care
ONE TREATMENT OPTION for people with relapsed multiple myeloma is BLENREP (belantamab mafodotin-blmf) for injection 70 mg, a prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in combination with the medicines bortezomib and dexamethasone to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior treatments, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and their cancer has come back or did not respond to prior treatment.
It is not known if BLENREP is safe and effective in children.
Hakan Kaya, MD
“It’s like a Trojan horse,” Dr. Kaya explains. “It is designed to attach to BCMA, a protein found on multiple myeloma and some normal cells. Once attached, BLENREP can be brought inside the cell, where it releases medicine that works from within.” BLENREP also engages the immune system to fight and destroy multiple myeloma cells from the outside. Talk to your doctor about whether BLENREP may be right for you.
It’s important to understand the potential risks of BLENREP.
BLENREP can cause serious side effects, including eye problems. These eye problems are common and can sometimes be severe. Changes can occur on the surface of the eye (cornea) and may cause symptoms such as: Blurred or decreased vision, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, eye irritation or pain, or feeling like something is in your eyes. Ulcers on the surface of the eye (corneal ulcers), including with infection, may also happen during treatment with BLENREP. These are not all of the possible side effects of BLENREP.
Eye exams are required before starting treatment, before each dose, and as needed if new or worsening eye problems occur. It’s important that you keep all of your eye care appointments because some changes can happen without symptoms and may only be seen on an eye exam. Use preservative-free artificial tears at least four times per day during treatment and avoid contact lenses unless directed by your eye specialist.
Use caution when driving or operating machinery because BLENREP may cause changes to your vision. Because of the risk of eye problems, BLENREP is available only through a restricted program called the BLENREP Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Your healthcare provider will give you the BLENREP REMS Patient Guide, which describes the risk of eye problems, and will explain the REMS program to you. To receive BLENREP, you must enroll in the REMS program and receive eye exams during treatment.
Please see Important Safety Information below and the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, for more details.
“The most common side effect during treatment with BLENREP is eye toxicity,” Dr. Kaya says. This can lead to symptoms such as decreased or blurred vision and, sometimes, a stinging sensation in the eyes. Because of this risk, patients receiving BLENREP are referred to an eye care specialist for exams before and during treatment. Eye-related side effects can be common and sometimes severe. Dose delays or reductions may be needed, and some findings may improve with management, but close ophthalmic monitoring is required. He also recommends patients use eye drops at least four times a day to help reduce any vision-related discomfort during treatment.
Dr. Kaya says BLENREP’s ability to help lower administration burden is another important consideration. “It is given through an IV infusion that can be as short as 30 minutes,” he says. “For appropriate patients, it may be available at specially certified outpatient sites, such as a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic. No hospitalization is needed to start treatment with BLENREP.”
Facing the Future
WHILE CANCER MEDICATIONS like BLENREP are crucial to helping manage multiple myeloma, finding community is also important. “It can be helpful to join a support group and meet others who are going through the same journey,” Dr. Kaya says, while encouraging patients to stay hopeful. “We have so many treatment options available today, and there are many more being studied. Never lose hope.”
Dave with this wife Michelle.
That sense of hope has stuck with Dave. “I know not everyone has the same experience with this disease, but considering everything I’ve been through, I’ve been able to stay engaged in ways I didn’t expect when I was first diagnosed,” he says. “I’ve celebrated anniversaries and attended my child’s wedding. Considering the disease I have and the damage that’s been done to my body, I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve been able to have.”
Visit BLENREP.com to learn more.
Dave and Dr. Kaya have been compensated by GSK for their participation in this article. Dave is a patient with multiple myeloma, and individual experiences may vary. Dr. Kaya is a board-certified oncologist.
APPROVED USE
BLENREP is a prescription medicine used in combination with the medicines bortezomib and dexamethasone to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior treatments, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and their cancer has come back or did not respond to prior treatment.
It is not known if BLENREP is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about BLENREP?
BLENREP can cause serious side effects, including:
- Eye problems. Eye problems are common with BLENREP and can also be severe. BLENREP can cause changes to the surface of your eye, which can lead to symptoms of eye problems, including:
- decreased vision
- blurred vision
- dry eyes
- sensitivity to light
- feeling like something is in your eyes
- eye irritation
- eye pain
Ulcers on the surface of the eye (corneal ulcers), including with infection, may also happen during treatment with BLENREP.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any new or worsening eye symptoms or vision changes during treatment with BLENREP.
Your healthcare provider will refer you to an eye care specialist (such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist) to check your eyes before you start treatment, before you receive each dose of BLENREP, and as needed for any new or worsening eye problems. It is important that you:
- Keep all of your eye care appointments because some changes can happen without symptoms and may only be seen on an eye exam
- Use preservative-free artificial tears at least 4 times per day starting with your first infusion and continuing until the end of treatment with BLENREP
- Avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment with BLENREP unless directed by your eye care specialist
- Use caution when driving or operating machinery because BLENREP may cause changes to your vision
Because of the risk of eye problems, BLENREP is available only through a restricted program called the BLENREP Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Your healthcare provider will give you the BLENREP REMS Patient Guide, which describes the risk of eye problems, and will explain the REMS program to you. To receive BLENREP, you must enroll in the REMS program and receive eye exams during treatment. See “What are the possible side effects of BLENREP?” for more information about side effects.
What are the possible side effects of BLENREP?
BLENREP can cause serious side effects, including:
- See “Eye Problems” in “What is the most important information I should know about BLENREP?”
- Decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia) is common with BLENREP and can also be severe. Platelets are a type of blood cell that help your blood to clot. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before you start treatment with BLENREP and during treatment as needed. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any bleeding or bruising during treatment with BLENREP
The most common side effects of BLENREP when given with bortezomib and dexamethasone include:
- See “Eye problems” in “What is the most important information I should know about BLENREP?”
- upper respiratory tract infection
- liver problems
- diarrhea
- tiredness
- pneumonia
- cataract
- COVID-19
The most common severe abnormal blood test results during treatment with BLENREP include decreases in platelets, white blood cells, and hemoglobin, and increases in certain liver enzymes.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get new or worsening unexplained signs or symptoms of lung problems, including shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough.
Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop treatment with BLENREP if you get serious side effects.
BLENREP may affect fertility in males and females, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all of the possible side effects of BLENREP.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before receiving BLENREP, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have or had vision or eye problems
- have or had bleeding problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. BLENREP can harm your unborn baby
Females who are able to become pregnant:
– Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with BLENREP
– Use effective birth control during treatment with BLENREP and for 4 months after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods you can use during this time
– Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with BLENREP
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:
– Use effective birth control during treatment with BLENREP and for 6 months after the last dose - are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BLENREP passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with BLENREP and for 3 months after the last dose
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report negative side effects to GSK at gsk.public.reportum.com or 1-888-825-5249.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide for patients. To learn more about this treatment option, visit BLENREP.com.
Intended for US audiences only.
Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
©2026 GSK or licensor.
PMUS-BLMCOCO260005 August 2026
Produced in USA.
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