EHA 2019 | Novel agents for NDMM: EHA updates

At the 24th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA), Elena Zamagni from the Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, IT, gives an update on novel agents for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Professor Zamagni highlighted two of the most important treatment updates presented at EHA 2019:

1. FORTE trial: upfront carfilzomib (K) + lenalidomide (R) + dexamethasone (d) (KRd) with or without autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). This regimen led to superior outcomes and higher minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity versus competitor in the prospective randomized phase III FORTE trial. These results indicated that KRd is an viable induction regimen, prior to ASCT, but also can be used for consolidation and maintenance after ASCT.
2. The combination of bortezomib + daratumumab led to superior outcomes with high quality responses. This is the first time a monoclonal antibody has been used in the first-line treatment of patients with NDMM, demonstrating a high benefit and prolonged progression-free survival (PFS).