Modulating CD38 enzymatic activity during antibody-based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: a basic science perspective

Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) develops within a profoundly immunosuppressive bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. CD38, a multifunctional ectoenzyme highly expressed on malignant plasma cells, contributes to this niche by degrading nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) into ADPR, which fuels adenosine (ADO) production through CD38/CD203a/CD73 enzymatic pathway. CD38ₜargeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including daratumumab (DARA) and isatuximab (ISA), exert antitumor activity through direct cytotoxicity and immune modulation; however, resistance to these agents remains a major clinical challenge. Understanding how CD38 enzymatic activity and adenosinergic metabolism evolve during therapy is essential for improving treatment efficacy. Methods This study investigates (i) the enzymatic functions of CD38, (ii) the in vitro effects of DARA and ISA on CD38ₘediated NAD + degradation in primary MM cells and a representative MM cell line, and (iii) the in vivo dynamics of ADO and its metabolite inosine (INO) in BM and peripheral blood (PB) plasma from MM patients receiving DARA monotherapy. Results In vitro, both DARA and ISA promoted NAD⁺ degradation with accumulation of ADPR. In vivo, ADO concentrations in BM plasma remained consistently in the micromolar range and declined only modestly during treatment, whereas INO progressively increased, leading to a gradual attenuation of the BM -PB gradient. These findings indicate that adenosinergic metabolism remains active during DARA therapy, likely sustained by reduced CD38 expression due to antibodydriven internalization or microvesicle (MV) release, together with adenosine deaminase (ADA) -mediated ADO degradation. Discussion Despite CD38ₜargeted therapy, ADO concentrations in the BM remain well above the activation thresholds of P1 purinergic receptors, suggesting persistent adenosinergic immunosuppression. This sustained ADO production may contribute to a tolerogenic BM niche that promotes immune evasion and therapeutic resistance. These results support the rationale for combining CD38directed antibodies with agents targeting adenosinergic signaling to enhance antitumor immunity and improve clinical outcomes in MM.