A recent study presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting has shown encouraging results for patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, a condition that can lead to active multiple myeloma. In this phase 3 study, patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma were randomized to receive either daratumumab monotherapy or active monitoring.
Key Findings
- Daratumumab Treatment: This drug significantly delayed or prevented progression to active multiple myeloma compared to active surveillance (monitoring).
- Improved Outcomes: Patients receiving daratumumab had better response rates and longer time before needing treatment for active multiple myeloma.
- Longer Progression-Free Survival: At 5 years, 63.1% of daratumumab-treated patients hadn’t progressed, compared to 40.8% under surveillance.
What This Means for Patients
- New Option: Daratumumab could become a treatment option for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, where currently no approved therapies exist.
- Early Intervention: The study supports the benefit of early treatment with daratumumab instead of just monitoring.
- Well-Tolerated: The treatment was generally safe, with low rates of discontinuation and serious side effects.
Looking Ahead
While these results are promising, it’s important to note that daratumumab is not yet approved for this specific condition. Patients should discuss with their doctors whether this treatment might be appropriate for their individual case.This research represents a significant step forward in managing high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma and potentially improving outcomes for patients at risk of developing active multiple myeloma.
About Darzalex (daratumumab)
Darzalex is a monoclonal antibody that has been produced in a laboratory to bind to a protein often found on the surface of multiple myeloma cancer cells, called CD38. Administered by injection, the binding of Darzalex has direct killing effects on the myeloma cells, as well as stimulating the immune system to attack the cancer cells. Darzalex is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma in combinations with different types of treatment regimens because it further improves survival and delays the time to cancer progression. Darzalex is not currently approved for patients with smoldering myeloma.
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Reference:
Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos, Peter M. Voorhees, Fredrik Schjesvold, Yael C. Cohen, et al. Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab Monotherapy Versus Active Monitoring in Patients with High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Primary Results of the Aquila Study. Blood; Volume 144, Supplement 1, 2024, Page 773. Presented at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting.
