Daratumumab slows progression in refractory multiple myeloma

2016 ASCO Annual Meeting

3 - 7 Jun 2016

Published: 6 Jun 2016

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Prof Palumbo - University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Professor Palumbo speaks with ecancertv at ASCO 2016 about the addition of daratumumab to treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)

Daratumumab, the first monoclonal antibody approved for multiple myeloma, targets a protein on the surface of cancer cells called CD38.

The daratumumab combination reduced the risk of cancer progression by 70%, and doubled both very good partial response rates from 29% to 59% and complete response rates from 9% to 19%.

More details on the CASTOR study were featured in the press announcement, available here.

ASCO 2016

Daratumumab slows progression in refractory multiple myeloma

Prof Palumbo - University of Torino, Torino, Italy

Today we present a major finding from a randomised study comparing a three drug combination including daratumumab, a novel monoclonal antibody, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. This three drug combo has been compared with bortezomib and dexamethasone, that is the current standard of care for the treatment of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma. The major efficacy finding is coming from a 61% reduction in the risk of progression or death and in a doubling in the remission duration of patients who received this treatment in comparison with the control arm.

From a safety point of view there was an excellent safety profile because the monoclonal antibodies did not increase the toxicity of bortezomib and dexamethasone so there was no signal in terms of cumulative toxicity. The only toxicity coming from the antibodies was the usual infusion reaction that is mainly present in the first cycle.

In conclusion, we should say that today with the combination of this daratumumab anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone we do have a new standard of care for patients who were receiving until today the two drug combination, bortezomib dexamethasone alone.