Dr Saad Usmani speaks to ecancer about the final analysis of the phase 3 CEPHEUS trial evaluating daratumumab plus bortezomib lenalidomide and dexamethasone in transplant ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

With over six years of follow up, the study confirms that adding daratumumab to standard VRd therapy leads to deeper and more durable responses.

DVRd significantly improved minimal residual disease negativity rates at both 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ thresholds, as well as sustained MRD negativity compared with VRd alone. Complete response or better rates were also markedly higher.

Progression free survival was substantially prolonged, with more patients remaining alive and progression free at six years. A trend toward improved overall survival was observed, particularly after adjusting for the impact of COVID 19.

These results reinforce DVRd as a standard of care for transplant ineligible patients, demonstrating that achieving deep and sustained responses translates into meaningful long term clinical benefit in this population.