Medical Oncologists, Dr. Vinayak Maka and Dr. Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan quickly summarise 5 studies from Myeloma presented at ASH 2018, adding their commentaries on each.

The 60th Annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) was held between December 1 and 4, 2018 at San Diego, USA. ASH is attended by more than twenty thousand haematologists globally. Groundbreaking research in haematology are presented and several of them are practice changing.

Here, we have critically analysed the oral and poster presentations made in Myeloma and presented only the ones which may be important for practising oncologists in India.

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Forte trial

Carfilzomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone (KRd) Induction-Autologous Transplant (ASCT)-Krd Consolidation Vs Krd 12 Cycles Vs Carfilzomib-Cyclophosphamide-Dexamethasone (KCd) Induction-ASCT-Kcd Consolidation: Analysis of the Randomized Forte Trial in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM)

The current study compared safety and efficacy of KRd induction–ASCT–KRd consolidation vs 12 cycles of KRd vs KCd induction–ASCT–KCd consolidation. 

1. In patients with ND MM, both KRd–ASCT–KRd and 12 cycles of KRd significantly improved rates of premaintenance ≥ VGPR, sCR, and MRD negativity vs KCd–ASCT–KCd.

• Premaintenance rates of ≥ VGPR, sCR, and MRD negativity were similar between KRd–ASCT–KRd and 12 cycles of KRd
• Results were similar across most subgroups evaluated

2. Safety outcomes broadly similar between arms, with more dose reductions, and treatment-related grade 3/4 hypertension, dermatologic, and hepatic AEs and serious AEs with use of KRd

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Griffin trial

Efficacy and Updated Safety Analysis of a Safety Run-in Cohort from Griffin, a Phase 2 Randomized Study of Daratumumab (Dara), Bortezomib (V), Lenalidomide (R), and Dexamethasone (D; Dara‐Vrd) Vs. Vrd in Patients (Pts) with Newly Diagnosed (ND) Multiple Myeloma (MM) Eligible for High‐Dose Therapy (HDT) and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT)

Data presented on the Phase 2 GRIFFIN study investigated daratumumab in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) in a 16-patient safety cohort of newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and ASCT.

Results showed that by the end of consolidation therapy following ASCT,

• All patients enrolled in the safety run-in obtained VGPR or better
• 63% achieved complete response (CR) or better, including 25% of patients who achieved sCR
• Additionally, 94% of patients remained progression-free on study treatment at a median follow-up of 16.8 months
• In addition, 8 of the 16 patients (50%) were MRD negative at a level of 10-5 by the end of consolidation 
• 14 patients (88%) experienced Grade 3/4 TEAEs with 10 (63%) related to treatment with daratumumab

The most common Grade 3/4 TEAEs (≥10%) included neutropenia, pneumonia, thrombocytopaenia, lymphopenia, febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, rash and hypophosphataemia. Thirteen patients (81%) experienced infections of any grade, including upper respiratory tract infection (six patients), pneumonia (four patients), bronchitis (two patients), and otitis and viral gastroenteritis (two patients each). No deaths due to serious adverse events were reported and no patient discontinued treatment due to an adverse event.

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MAIA Phase III trial

LBA-2 Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab Plus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (D-Rd) Versus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (Rd) in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Ineligible for Transplant (MAIA)

The Phase III study (NCT02252172) is a randomised, open-label, multicenter study that includes 737 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are not candidates for high dose chemotherapy and ASCT. Patients were randomised to receive either daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.

In the daratumumab treatment arm, patients received 16 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) weekly for first 8 weeks (cycles 1 and 2), every other week for 16 weeks (cycles 3 to 6) and then every 4 weeks (cycle 7 and beyond) until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity. Lenalidomide was administered at 25 mg orally on days 1 through 21 of each 28-day cycle, and dexamethasone was administered at 40 mg once a week for both treatment arms. Participants in both treatment arms continued Rd until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of the study was PFS.

• The study met the primary endpoint of improving progression-free survival (PFS) at a pre-planned interim analysis (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.55 (95% CI 0.43 – 0.72), p < 0.0001) resulting in a 45% reduction in the risk of progression or death in patients treated with DRd
• The median PFS for patients treated with daratumumab in combination with Rd had not been reached, compared to an estimated median PFS of 31.9 months for patients who received Rd alone

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RV-MM-PI-0752 trial

Efficacy and Feasibility of Dose/Schedule-Adjusted Rd-R Vs. Continuous Rd in Elderly and Intermediate-Fit Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Patients: RV-MM-PI-0752 Phase III Randomized Study

Intermediate-fit NDMM patients, with a total frailty score (age, Charlson Index, ADL and IADL) of 1 were enrolled and randomised to receive Rd-R or continuous Rd. To better approximate a real-world older population, patients usually excluded from clinical trials or with abnormal laboratory values could be included in the trial.

Rd-R treatment consisted of nine 28-day cycles of lenalidomide 25 mg/day for 21 days and dexamethasone 20 mg on days 1,8,15,22, followed by lenalidomide maintenance 10 mg/day for 21 days, until disease progression. Continuous Rd consisted of lenalidomide 25 mg/day for 21 days and dexamethasone 20 mg on days 1,8,15,22, until disease progression.

The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS). No difference in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was observed.

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Tourmaline-MM3 trial

Maintenance Therapy with the Oral Proteasome Inhibitor (PI) Ixazomib Significantly Prolongs Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM): Phase 3 Tourmaline-MM3 Trial

The phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter TOURMALINE-MM3 study (NCT02181413) compared weekly Ixazomib vs placebo maintenance in NDMM patients who had at least a partial response (≥PR) to induction therapy with a PI and/or immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) followed by single ASCT.

Patients were randomized (3:2) to receive Ixazomib or matched placebo on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles for up to 2 years or until progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Randomisation was stratified by induction regimen (PI without IMiD vs IMiD without PI vs PI+IMiD), pre-induction ISS stage (I vs II or III), and post-ASCT response (complete response [CR] or very good partial response [VGPR] vs PR). Patients were ineligible if they had received post-ASCT consolidation or tandem ASCT. The primary endpoint was PFS.

This study demonstrated a 28% reduction in the risk of progression/death, corresponding to a 39% improvement in PFS with Ixazomib maintenance, with deepening of responses and increased conversions to MRD negativity over control, as well as a favourable safety profile.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

Dr. Vishwanath Sathyanarayan is a Medical Oncologist from Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore with a fellowship from MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Vinayak Maka is a Senior Medical Oncologist who teaches and practice at the MS Ramaiah Medical College and the HCG MSR Cancer Centre, Bangalore.