According to a press release in Business Wire, the results of a recent clinical trial produced promising outcomes in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a rare cancer. This trial evaluated belantamab mafodotin in multiple myeloma and compared it to a combination treatment based on daratumumab. The treatment produced an enhanced overall survival benefit and a reduced risk of death.
The phase III trial, designated DREAMM-7, evaluated the effectiveness and safety of belantamab mafodotin in combination with bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BVd) versus daratumumab in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd). These regimens were evaluated in 494 patients living with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. These participants had received treatment with at least one previous regimen and had confirmed progression afterwards.
The BVd regimen produced a 42% reduction in risk of death versus DVd. Furthermore, it produced a three-year survival rate of 74% versus 60%. The clinicians observed this advantage in survival rate as early as four months into the treatment cycle. BVd also showed advantages in other areas, such as evidence of minimal residual disease negativity, which was a secondary endpoint in the trial. Other areas in which BVd improved on DVd were progression-free survival 2 and duration of response, which were also secondary endpoints.
Overall, the researchers concluded that these results could have a major impact on the standard of treatment for multiple myeloma that is considered relapsed/refractory.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, which is occasionally referred to as plasma cell myeloma, is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells. These are white blood cells that produce antibodies. The overall cause of multiple myeloma is not well understood; however, some risk factors have been identified. These include obesity, family history, smoldering myeloma, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. These last two conditions have the potential to develop into multiple myeloma. Symptoms of this cancer include bone pain, infections, anemia, kidney failure, overly thick blood, confusion, fatigue, headaches, and amyloidosis. Treatment includes chemo, stem cell transplant, and other medications for relapsed disease, which is common. Five-year survival rate is 49% in the US. To learn more about multiple myeloma, click here.
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Last modified: December 13, 2024
