Early trial aims to stop 'Smoldering' cancer before it ignites

This small, early-stage study is testing whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab can help control or delay the progression of smoldering multiple myeloma, a slow-growing precursor to an aggressive bone marrow cancer. The trial involves 20 adults with intermediate or high-risk smoldering myeloma who have not yet developed active disease. Researchers will give patients pembrolizumab intravenously every three weeks for up to two years to see if it helps the immune system attack the abnormal cells and prevent them from becoming full-blown cancer.