Rapid Myeloma Advances Demand AP Education: Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN

The pace of new therapies in multiple myeloma makes continuing education essential for advanced practitioners (APs), and institutions should help fund it, according to Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN, BMTCN, FAAN, FAPO, of Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. In an interview at the Patient-Centered Oncology Care® (PCOC) 2026 conference hosted by The American Journal of Managed Care^® in Nashville, Tennessee, September 24-25, 2026, Faiman discussed the rapid evolution of myeloma treatment, education needs for APs, and the barriers that remain for AP-led care.

How Quickly Myeloma Treatment Is Changing

Faiman said the last 10 years in particular have brought an explosion of therapies, starting with the antiCD38 antibodies daratumumab and isatuximab and continuing with bispecific antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.

New evidence continues to arrive. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for multiple myeloma have already been updated to a 2027 version, even though it is still 2026.

"That's telling you how fast things are improving," Faiman said.

Faiman pointed to new FDA approvals in myeloma, including the recent approval of iberdomide (Zenbexus; Bristol Myers Squibb), an oral therapy that targets cereblon, as well as new indications for existing drugs.

Why APs Need Funding for Continuing Education

APs need funding and reimbursement to attend the conferences where they learn about these drugs and build partnerships, Faiman said. As editor in chief of the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO), Faiman pointed to the upcoming JADPRO Live conference as an opportunity to network with colleagues.

Major conferences let APs who are less familiar with bispecific antibodies or CAR T-cell therapy connect with peers at larger institutions who use them regularly. Online platforms are another option for those who cannot travel.

"Continuing education is critical," Faiman said. "Hopefully, institutions will reimburse for education to attend these conferences, which will expand their knowledge and promote networking connections."

What Barriers Still Limit AP-Led Care

Barriers to AP-led care remain at the state, institution, and practice levels, Faiman said, including a lingering paternalistic model in which some physicians are reluctant to embrace AP-led care.

Still, Faiman sees progress. In many organizations, including those in restrictive states, scope of practice is being enhanced, leading to better financial reimbursement for AP services. A growing body of research also shows that physician assistants and nurse practitioners add value to the care team.

"I'm here to tell you, after doing this for so many years, I'm just so happy to see in many different organizations and institutions in restrictive states now their scope of practice is being enhanced," Faiman said. "I'm seeing more and more of these care models being enacted, and I can only see them increase over time."