### Understanding Immunotherapy for Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections. To help your immune system, doctors often use a treatment called immunotherapy. This treatment boosts your body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. There are different types of immunotherapy drugs, and they work in various ways. **Types of Immunotherapy Drugs:** 1. **Immunomodulators:** These drugs help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Examples include lenalidomide, pomalidomide, and thalidomide. They are usually taken as pills. 2. **CAR-T Cell Therapy:** This treatment involves changing your T cells (a type of white blood cell) so they can better attack cancer cells. Examples include ciltacabtagene (Carvykti) and idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma). 3. **Checkpoint Inhibitors:** These drugs help turn on parts of your immune system that can stop cancer cell growth and turn off parts that help cancer cells grow. 4. **Cytokines:** These are messenger molecules that control the growth and activity of your immune system. 5. **Monoclonal Antibodies:** These human-made molecules target specific substances on cancer cells, helping your immune system attack them. 6. **Oncolytic Virus Therapies:** These treatments use modified viruses to kill cancer cells and boost your immune response. 7. **Vaccines:** These work like regular vaccines to help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. **Side Effects:** Each type of immunotherapy drug can have side effects. Common ones include fatigue, fever, and nausea. Your doctor will discuss these with you and help manage them. **Future Treatments:** There are new types of immunotherapy being developed. You might be able to join a clinical trial to try these new treatments. Always talk to your doctor about the best options for you.