Efficacy

Darzalex (Daratumumab) in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Darzalex (daratumumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD38 molecule, which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells. It has been approved for use in patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Darzalex in improving progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in these patients. When used in combination with other standard therapies, such as lenalidomide and dexamethasone, Darzalex has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of disease progression or death.

In the POLLUX study, a phase 3 trial, the addition of Darzalex to lenalidomide and dexamethasone resulted in a 63% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone. Moreover, the CASTOR study, another phase 3 trial, demonstrated that adding Darzalex to bortezomib and dexamethasone reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 61% compared to bortezomib and dexamethasone alone. These results highlight the significant impact of Darzalex on improving outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Blenrep (Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf) in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a protein commonly found on the surface of multiple myeloma cells. It has been granted accelerated approval for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent. Blenrep's efficacy was evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial, which showed a meaningful overall response rate (ORR) in a heavily pre-treated patient population.

The DREAMM-2 study, a two-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial, reported that patients treated with Blenrep achieved an ORR of 31% with a 2.5 mg/kg dose and 34% with a 3.4 mg/kg dose. The median duration of response was 11 months, indicating that Blenrep can induce a clinically significant response in patients with limited treatment options. Despite its efficacy, the treatment with Blenrep is associated with a risk of ocular toxicity, and therefore, monitoring is recommended. Nonetheless, Blenrep provides a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced multiple myeloma, reflecting progress in the development of targeted therapies for this challenging disease.