MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Although there were a variety of encouraging data presented at the 2018 ASH Annual Meeting, CLL and multiple myeloma undoubtedly ruled the day, according to poll results. As these topics heated up on Twitter, a few experts took a moment to discuss their thoughts on some of the top abstracts that were presented.

Ajai Chari, MD, discusses the biggest challenge in treating patients with multiple myeloma.

Each of the many BCMA-targeted CAR T cells in development demonstrate a different efficacy and safety profile, and each have different constructs. None of the agents have reached the FDA yet, but data for many of the agents were presented at the 2018 ASH Annual Meeting.

A look back at all the FDA news that happened in the month of November 2018, including several new approvals, priority reviews, a fast track designation, and an accelerated approval, across a variety of cancer types.

According to the phase III MAIA trial, triplet regimen daratumumab, lenalidomide, plus dexamethasone reduced risk of disease progression or death by 44% in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were not candidates for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplant, compared to patients who received lenalidomide plus dexamethasone.

An overall response rate of 26.2% was induced by selinexor, an oral XPO1 inhibitor, combination in heavily pretreated patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. According to the findings from part 2 of the pivotal STORM trial, selinexor is now the first investigational oral therapy to show activity in these patients.

Initial results from a phase I study showed an objective response rate of 83.3% had been achieved in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had been treated with the anti-BCMA CAR T-cell therapy bb21217.

Maria-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, discusses the key takeaways from the phase III ALCYONE trial looking at bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in combination with daratumumab in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are transplant ineligible.

According to findings from the phase III TOURMALINE-MM3, a 39% improvement in progression-free survival was demonstrated with 2-year maintenance therapy with ixazomib compared with placebo for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who had previously achieved a partial response with an induction therapy of a proteasome inhibitor and/or an immunomodulatory agent following autologous stem cell transplant.

Peter M. Voorhees, MD, investigator, department of hematologic oncology & blood disorders, Levine Cancer Institute/Atrium Health, discusses efficacy and updated safety findings of a safety run-in cohort from the phase II Griffin trial, a randomized study of daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (Dara-Vrd) versus Vrd in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, during the 2018 ASH Annual Meeting.

In a study of transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, daratumumab added to bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone induced at least a very good partial response in all patients, including a complete response in 63% of patients, at the end of consolidation therapy.<br /> &nbsp;

During a&nbsp;<em>Targeted Oncology&nbsp;</em>case-based peer perspectives program, Sikander Ailawadhi, MD, reviewed with other physicians his clinical considerations for the management of multiple myeloma. Ailawadhi discussed his treatment options and other factors that go into his decision making with the group during the meeting based on a case scenario of a patient with high-risk, transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma.

During a <em>Targeted Oncology </em>live case-based peer perspective presentation, Ajai Chari, MD, spoke on the treatment options and considerations he makes when treating patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Ajai Chari, MD, discusses the rationale for using combination therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.&nbsp;

During a <em>Targeted Oncology </em>live case-based peer perspectives presentation, Ravi Vij, MD, MBA, reviewed with other healthcare professionals the treatment options and considerations he makes when treating patients with multiple myeloma.

Adding thalidomide to induction and maintenance therapy in stem cell transplant-eligible, newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma improved event-free survival and progression-free survival compared with standard chemotherapy drugs and interferon alfa, according to a long-term follow-up analysis from a phase III open-label randomized trial.

Sarah Holstein, MD, PhD, explains her rationale for choosing a triplet regimen over a quadruplet in patients with multiple myeloma.&nbsp;

Based on data from the phase II ELOQUENT-3 trial,&nbsp;elotuzumab (Empliciti) has received approval from the FDA in combination with&nbsp;pomalidomide (Pomalyst) and low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma following 2 or more prior therapies, including lenalidomide (Revlimid) and a proteasome inhibitor.

Eric Smith, MD, PhD, discusses the use of armored chimeric antigen receptor T cells in multiple myeloma.

Newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are not candidates for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant saw a 45% reduction in the&nbsp;risk of disease progression or death with the addition of daratumumab (Darzalex) to lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone compared with&nbsp;lenalidomide/dexamethasone alone.

Eric Smith, MD, PhD, discusses challenges with CAR T-cell therapy as a treatment option for multiple myeloma. While studies have shown CD19 CAR T cells and BCMA CAR T cells have durable responses in this patient population, patients still relapse over time.

A new drug application for selinexor has been granted a priority review by the FDA as a treatment for patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma, according to Karyopharm Therapeutics, the manufacturer of the agent.

Infographic: Here, we share the top 5 oncology news stories we reported this week, including the most recent FDA updates and expert insights on key developments in the field.

The next-generation sequencing assay clonoSEQ has gained FDA approval as a test for minimal residual disease in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or multiple myeloma.

A once-weekly dosing option&nbsp;of carfilzomib (Kyprolis) has been approved by the FDA for use&nbsp;in combination with dexamethasone for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, Amgen, the manufacturer of the agent, has announced.<br /> &nbsp;

Sham Mailankody, MBBS, discusses current treatment options and shifting preferences, especially toward triplet combinations, for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, as well as emerging immunotherapy treatment options.