Newly published data from a phase II study involving patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) indicate that the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab can enhance the efficacy of pomalidomide plus dexamethasone. A total of 48 patients were included in this study, of whom 73% were refractory to both an immunomodulatory agent and a proteasome inhibitor, and 70% had undergone prior autologous stem-cell transplantation. An objective response was observed in 60% of patients, with a median response duration of 14.7 months, and a progression-free survival duration of 17.4 months. Grade 3–4 adverse events were reported in 40% of patients, of which haematological toxicities, hyperglycaemia and pneumonia were the most abundant. These findings indicate that pembrolizumab, in combination with dexamethasone and pomalidomide, is safe and effective in patients with RRMM.