Carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

16th International Myeloma Workshop

1 - 4 Mar 2017

Published: 3 Mar 2017

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Dr Ralph Boccia - Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Bethesda, USA

Dr Boccia speaks with ecancer at the 16th International Myeloma Workshop about the CHAMPION-2 study.

The study evaluated different dose levels of carfilzomib in combination with fixed-dose cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).

Carfilzomib is a selective and irreversible second-generation proteasome inhibitor.

Carfilzomib (56 mg/m2) twice weekly combined with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone had manageable toxicity and was effective for treating patients with newly diagnosed MM.

Carfilzomib is also being trialled in relapsed/refractory myeloma, as discussed by Dr Siegel here.

ecancer's filming has been kindly supported by Amgen through the ECMS Foundation. ecancer is editorially independent and there is no influence over content.

We presented the CHAMPION-2 data which is a phase Ib dose escalation trial of carfilzomib with fixed dose cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. We looked to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who were not planned to undergo transplant, at least during the clinical trial, substituting carfilzomib for bortezomib in what might be called the CyBorD non-IMiD based combination triplet therapy.

What were your findings?

We planned three dose escalated three by three to expand to a larger cohort using carfilzomib, first at 36mg/m2 then 45 mg/m2. When we found no dose limiting toxicities we expanded it to 56mg/m2.

How many patients were involved?

We treated a total of 21 patients: 3 at the 36mg, 3 at the 45mg and 15 at the 56mg/m2 dose.

What were the results?

We found excellent activity – almost 90% of patients responded and we had VGPRs or better at just over 50%.

Did the results vary between groups?

We had a total of 3 at the 36 and 3 at the 45 and so we saw responses at all the dose levels.

What are the implications?

We believe that this is an excellent non-IMiD based alternative to triplet therapy in the newly diagnosed patient with multiple myeloma. It appears to be safe and effective.