MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Progression-free survival was extended by 3.6 months with higher-dose, once-weekly carfilzomib (Kyprolis) compared with a lower-dose, twice-weekly regimen in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, according to according to phase III results from the ARROW trial.

Understanding genetic abnormalities is key to better improving outcomes in multiple myeloma, particularly for high-risk patients, Shaji K. Kumar, MD, said in his talk at the 35th annual CFS.

Vancheswaran Gopalakrishnan, MPH, a post-doctorate fellow in Dr. Jennifer Wargo's laboratory at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses a study that explored the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome in melanoma patients and its influence on response to anti-PD-1 therapy during The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 32nd Annual Meeting. Dr. Gopalakrishnan completed this study under the mentorship of Dr. Wargo, who was the principal investigator. 

The B-cell maturation antigen antibody-drug conjugate GSK2857916 has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, GlaxoSmithKline has announced.

Shaji K. Kumar, MD, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses the management of newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma.

The treatment approach for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma should be tailored based on biology of the disease, frailty of the patient, and comorbidities, said Natalie S. Callander, MD, in a presentation at the NCCN 12th Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignancies in San Francisco, California.

According to phase II results from the DSMM XI trial published in the <em>British Journal of Haematology</em>, induction therapy with bortezomib (Velcade), cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone demonstrated an overall response rate of 85.4%&nbsp;in treatment-na&iuml;ve patients with multiple myeloma.

In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, maintenance therapy with lenalidomide (Revlimid)&nbsp;induced a survival benefit following autologous stem-cell transplantation, according to results from a meta-analysis published in the <em>Journal of Clinical Oncology</em>.

Robert Z. Orlowski, MD, PhD, recently discussed 2 cases of patients with multiple myeloma, and the treatment considerations and decisions he would make when treating these patients. Orlowski, chairman, ad interim, director of myeloma, and professor of medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discussed these cases during a&nbsp;<em>Targeted Oncology</em>&nbsp;live case-based peer perspectives dinner.

A look back at all the FDA news that occurred in the month of September.

Robert Orlowski, MD, PhD,&nbsp;Florence Maude Thomas Cancer Research&nbsp;professor and chair, ad interim,&nbsp;Department of Lymphoma &amp; Myeloma&nbsp;at&nbsp;The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses remaining questions with multiple myeloma treatment.

Sundar Jagannath, MDDS, professor, Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses the STORM and&nbsp;STOMP clinical trials &nbsp;in patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple trials in Celgene&rsquo;s FUSION program, which is exploring regimens combining the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab (Imfinzi) with immunomodulatory and chemotherapy agents across several hematologic malignancies,&nbsp;have been placed on clinical holds by the FDA.

Partial clinical holds have been placed on 3 trials by the FDA, which are assessing nivolumab (Opdivo)-based combinations in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

A look back at all the FDA news that occurred in the month of August.

The FDA recently released a statement providing specific data from 2 phase III trials placed on hold in July investigating pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in multiple myeloma.

A supplemental new drug application seeking to add overall survival data from the phase III ENDEAVOR trial to the label for carfilzomib (Kyprolis) for use in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma has been accepted by the FDA.

Biochemical Progression of Stage II High-Risk Multiple Myeloma