Carfilzomib, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone As Second-line Therapy for Lenalidomide-refractory Multiple Myeloma

Efficacy and Safety of Isatuximab, Carfilzomib, and Dexamethasone (IsaKd) in Multiple Myeloma Patients at the First Relapse After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation and Lenalidomide Maintenance: Results from the Multicenter, Real-Life AENEID Study

Background: In the randomized, phase-3 IKEMA trial, the triplet isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone (IsaKd) demonstrated superior clinical benefit compared to those of carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma after 1-3 prior treatments. Methods: Our real-world, AENEID study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IsaKd in patients who relapsed after frontline lenalidomide treatment, poorly represented in the IKEMA trial. Specifically, in the present multicenter analysis, we enrolled eighty-two patients who received, between April 2022 and September 2024 and outside of clinical trials, at least one cycle of IsaKd as a second-line treatment at the first relapse after induction therapy, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and lenalidomide maintenance. Results: After a median follow-up time of 12.9 months (range, 1-77), the overall response rate, at least a very good partial response rate, and median progression-free survival time were 79.3%, 56.1%, and 24.4 months, respectively. This slightly lower performance compared to that in the IKEMA study may be attributed to the well-known poor prognostic impact of lenalidomide refractoriness (len-R), developed by all our patients during maintenance therapy, and to a higher proportion of patients with extramedullary disease present in our series, which was identified as the only factor significantly affecting the PFS in multivariable analysis. The median overall survival was not reached, as in the pivotal trial, while the 1-year survival probability was 85.1%. Regarding the safety profile, our findings were consistent with those of the IKEMA trial, with no new safety signals reported. Conclusions: These real-world data support the use of IsaKd as a valuable option for len-R MM patients relapsing after the first-line therapy, including ASCT and lenalidomide maintenance.

Multiple Myeloma: Improved Outcomes Resulting from a Rapidly Expanding Number of Therapeutic Options

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone-marrow-based cancer of plasma cells. Over the last 2 decades, marked treatment advances have led to improvements in the overall survival (OS) of patients with this disease. Key developments include the use of chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies. MM remains incurable, with outcomes influenced by many factors, including age, sex, genetics, and treatment response. This review summarizes recent studies regarding monitoring and treatment of MM, emphasizing the efficacy of new therapies, the impact of maintenance treatments, and approaches for managing relapsed or refractory MM. The role of specific drug classes used to treat MM, including immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and newer treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies are discussed. Combination therapies have significantly improved outcomes. Maintenance therapies, particularly with lenalidomide, have been effective in extending OS but lead to an increased risk of secondary cancers. Venetoclax, selinexor, and ruxolitinib have shown potential as new therapeutic options for patients with relapsed or refractory MM. Immune-based treatments, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, mark a major advancement for heavily pretreated patients, although challenges remain related to cost, availability, and side effects. The treatment landscape for patients with MM has seen significant progress, with current therapies providing a longer OS and better quality of life. Future research should focus on optimizing these strategies, personalizing therapies, and exploring new therapeutic targets.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Patients with Multiple Myeloma Who Progress After the Frontline Use of Lenalidomide: A Narrative Review

Background/Objectives: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who relapse after exposure to lenalidomide in the context of their first-line therapy are becoming a growing and clinically relevant population. We performed a systematic review of available clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with MM at first relapse after the frontline use of lenalidomide. Methods: Publications of interest were searched on the PubMed database. The following search terms were employed: relapsed multiple myeloma, refractory multiple myeloma, first relapse, second-line therapy, lenalidomide-refractory (Len-R) and lenalidomide-exposed (Len-Exp). Results: Overall, triplet regimens that included anti-CD38 antibodies, carfilzomib and dexamethasone achieved a more favorable PFS regardless of the number of prior therapies. Other trials also demonstrated a non-negligible benefit with combinations containing pomalidomide, particularly in early lines of therapy. However, the variable number of patients with Len-Exp/Len-R disease enrolled in these studies and the limited number of those analyzed after progression following frontline lenalidomide make it difficult to select an "optimal" choice for the treatment of patients with MM at first relapse. Promising results have been more recently obtained by using combo therapies, including belantamab mafodotin and, above all, immunotherapies with CAR-T cells, and ongoing clinical trials are exploring the role of bispecific antibodies and CELMoDs in this population of patients. Conclusions: In the absence of clear-cut data regarding the specific effects of available regimens on patients with MM who are refractory or have relapsed after first-line therapies including lenalidomide, novel approaches based on different types of immune strategies are expected to further improve the clinical outcome of these patients.

Alliance A061202: ixazomib, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone for patients with lenalidomide-refractory MM in first relapse

ABSTRACT

Optimal therapy for the growing number of patients with lenalidomide (LEN)-refractory multiple myeloma in their first relapse remains poorly defined. We therefore undertook a randomized phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining the oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib (IXA) with pomalidomide (POM) and dexamethasone (DEX) in this patient population. The overall response rate (ORR) for POM-DEX was 43.6%, and for IXA-POM-DEX, it was 63.2%. The depth of response, measured by the attainment of at least a very good partial response, favored triplet therapy over doublet therapy (28.9% vs 5.1%; P = .0063). A preplanned interim analysis after 75% of the progression events had occurred demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) that favored IXA-POM-DEX and that crossed the predefined boundary of superiority, leading to release of the study results. With additional follow-up, the median PFS for POM-DEX was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-13.6 months) vs 20.3 months for IXA-POM-DEX (95% CI, 7.7-26.0 months; hazard ratio, 0.437; upper 90% bound = 0.657). The ORR and median PFS for 26 of 30 eligible patients who crossed over from the doublet to the triplet therapy at disease progression was 23.1% and 5.6 months, respectively. Overall survival was similar between the 2 groups. More hematologic toxicities were seen with the triplet therapy, but nonhematologic adverse events were similar between the 2 arms. Our data support further testing of this all-oral triplet therapy in comparison with current standard triplet therapy in the context of phase 3 studies for patients with LEN-refractory disease at first relapse. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02004275.

Multiple myeloma refractory to lenalidomide: A systematic literature review of trials and real-world evidence

The growing use of frontline lenalidomide treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) is increasing the proportion of lenalidomide-refractory patients, which may limit the efficacy of subsequent lines of treatment (LOT). This systematic literature review (January 2008-October 2023) of clinical trials (CT) and real-world studies (RW) assessed treatment outcomes in adults with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) who were previously treated with ≥1 LOT, progressed and were lenalidomide-refractory. Medline, EMBASE and additional electronic databases were searched for articles published in English. Primary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and overall/objective response rate (ORR); 24 CT and 19 RW were included. For CT, the population-weighted mean of median PFS (CT = 14) and OS (CT = 6) were shorter in the lenalidomide-refractory cohort (months: 8.8 [n = 2699] and 21.7 [n = 1066], respectively) than the intent-to-treat population (months: 13.8 [n = 5380] and 35.9 [n = 2264], respectively); the population-weighted (N = 2142) mean ORR for lenalidomide-refractory patients (CT = 18) was 56.0%. RW reported considerable variation in PFS (RW = 7), OS (RW = 8) and ORR (RW = 8); and median PFS (RW = 2; months) was lower in lenalidomide/bortezomib-refractory (5.5/5.5; n = 81/n = 25) versus lenalidomide-refractory (7.3/8.0; n = 81/n = 61) patients. These data provide evidence that clinical trials and real-world outcomes are suboptimal in lenalidomide-refractory patients with RRMM, highlighting the need to improve treatment options for this population.

Updates on Therapeutic Strategies in the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous condition characterized by the proliferation of monoclonal B-cells, for which there is currently no curative treatment available. Relapses are, unfortunately, common after first-line treatment. While the prognosis for relapsed refractory multiple myeloma is generally poor, advances in the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma offer hope. However, the expansion of effective options in targeted treatment offers renewed optimism and hope that patients who fail on older therapies may respond to newer modalities, which are often used in combination. We review currently approved and novel investigational agents classified by mechanisms of action, efficacy, approved setting, and adverse events. We delve into future directions of treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, reviewing novel agents and therapeutic targets for the future.

Serum Free Light Chain Kinetics Is Predictive of Renal Response in Myeloma Patients With Renal Impairment-An ALLG Trial of Carfilzomib-Dexamethasone Therapy in Frontline and Relapse

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Renal impairment (RI) confers adverse prognosis in myeloma; its reversal and avoidance of dialysis are crucial. We investigated whether serum free light chain (SFLC) measurements can predict renal outcome, to enable change in therapy to optimize prognosis and avoid dialysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated 36 myeloma patients (17 newly diagnosed [ND]; 19 relapsed refractory [RR]; with median of 5 prior lines) with eGFR 15-40 ml/min treated with carfilzomib (Cfz)-dexamethasone to determine whether SFLC kinetics can predict renal outcomes, and assess efficacy and tolerability.

RESULTS

The change in involved SFLC at Cycle 2 Day 1 was significantly correlated with renal function; for every one log10 reduction in involved SFLC, eGFR increased by 9.0-15.0 mL/min at cycles 2-4, with SFLC reduction of 54%-78%. At a median follow-up of 30.6 months, renal outcomes were favorable-CRrenal 25%, MRrenal 36%. Disease responses (ND 100%, RR 75%), progression-free survival (ND 32.2 months, RR 11.1 months) and overall survival (ND not reached, RR 42.0 months) were comparable to patients without RI. There was significant toxicity, including Cfz-related cardiac impairment of 20% within a cohort with high co-morbidity, and a high incidence of infections.

CONCLUSION

We propose that one log10 reduction in involved SFLC at Cycle 2 Day 1 is an appropriate target for reducing the risk of dialysis in myeloma patients with RI; below this threshold patients may benefit from a change in therapy. While Cfz-dexamethasone achieved favorable renal and disease outcomes, toxicity can be significant in this vulnerable cohort.

An open-label phase 2 study treating patients with first or second relapse of multiple myeloma with carfilzomib, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (KPd): SELECT study

Once-weekly carfilzomib at 56 mg/m2 plus immunomodulatory drugs and dexamethasone has shown efficacy and tolerability treating early relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The phase 2 SELECT study (NCT04191616) evaluated efficacy/safety of weekly carfilzomib, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (KPd) in early RRMM patients refractory to lenalidomide. All 52 treated patients were refractory to prior treatment, and 19 (37%) were triple-class refractory. Overall response rate (ORR; primary endpoint) was 58% (35% ≥ very good partial response, 6% ≥ complete response); median response duration was 20.3 months. Minimal residual disease negativity (10-5) was achieved in 10% of patients. Median progression-free survival was 11.1 months; median overall survival was 18.8 months. Adverse events (AEs) were consistent with the known safety profile including grade ≥3 treatment-emergent AEs reported in 67% of patients. Although the primary endpoint of ORR was not met, KPd showed meaningful clinical benefits in lenalidomide-refractory RRMM patients, including those who were daratumumab-refractory and/or triple-class refractory.

The role of maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Considerations on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT

Recent treatment advancements in multiple myeloma have led to significant improvements in patient outcomes. Maintenance therapy following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT) is now standard of care and has been demonstrated to prolong and deepen treatment responses. Currently, lenalidomide remains the single agent that has been approved for maintenance post-AHCT in Europe and the USA which, if tolerated, is continued until disease progression. The treatment landscape is rapidly expanding however, and the optimal personalised maintenance approach for a patient is becoming more complex. Treatment outcomes for patients with high-risk disease remain poor and choice of maintenance in this population also remains unclear. This review article evaluates up-to-date literature regarding established maintenance approaches. It further analyses ongoing studies exploring maintenance regimens using combination and novel agents, approaches to maintenance in patients with cytogenetic high-risk disease and minimal residual disease response-adapted strategies that reflect the current evolving treatment paradigm.

IMiD-Free Interval and IMiDs Sequence: Which Strategy Is Better Suited for Lenalidomide-Refractory Myeloma?

This review discusses immunomodulatory drug (IMiDs) sequencing and IMiD-free interval strategies for lenalidomide-refractory myeloma. IMiDs and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) improve clinical outcomes in patients with myeloma; however, refractoriness to lenalidomide, a category of IMiD, predicts poor outcomes. Next-generation IMiDs, such as pomalidomide, are effective even for lenalidomide-refractory myeloma. Therefore, an IMiD-sequencing strategy from lenalidomide to pomalidomide would be desirable. PIs are an antimyeloma therapeutic agent with another mode of action that might restore cereblon, a target of IMiDs; therefore, an IMiD-free interval via class switching from lenalidomide to PIs may be a promising alternative for lenalidomide-refractory myeloma. Additionally, the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody is a key drug for salvage therapy in anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-naïve patients. In clinical practice, safety profiles and social convenience can play important roles in the choice of combination therapy. In the future, the selection of optimal treatments should be based on the status of the immunological environment and genetic alterations. This review aims to discuss IMiDs sequencing and IMiD-free interval strategies for lenalidomide- refractory myeloma.

Evidence-based mechanisms of synergy with IMiD agent-based combinations in multiple myeloma

Treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has seen great advances in recent years, and a key contributor to this change has been the effective use of combination therapies, which have improved both the depth and duration of patient responses. IMiD agents (lenalidomide and pomalidomide) have both tumoricidal and immunostimulatory functions, and due to their multiple mechanisms of action have become the backbone of numerous combination treatments in the newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory settings. Although IMiD agent-based combination regimens provide improved clinical outcomes for patients with MM, the mechanisms underpinning these combinations are not well understood. In this review we describe the potential mechanisms of synergy leading to the enhanced activity observed when IMiD agents and other drug classes are used in combination through interrogation of the current knowledge surrounding their mechanism of actions.

Management of Relapsed-Refractory Multiple Myeloma in the Era of Advanced Therapies: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Routine Clinical Practice

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in adults worldwide. Over the past few years, major therapeutic advances have improved progression-free and overall survival, as well as quality of life. Despite this recent progress, MM remains incurable in the vast majority of cases. Patients eventually relapse and become refractory to multiple drug classes, making long-term management challenging. In this review, we will focus on the treatment paradigm of relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) in the era of advanced therapies emphasizing the available novel modalities that have recently been incorporated into routine practice, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and other promising approaches. We will also discuss major factors that influence the selection of appropriate drug combinations or cellular therapies, such as relapse characteristics, and other disease and patient related parameters. Our goal is to provide insight into the currently available and experimental therapies for RRMM in an effort to guide the therapeutic decision-making process.