The mm Hub website uses a third-party service provided by Google that dynamically translates web content. Translations are machine generated, so may not be an exact or complete translation, and the mm Hub cannot guarantee the accuracy of translated content. The mm and its employees will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages (even if foreseeable) resulting from use of the Google Translate feature. For further support with Google Translate, visit Google Translate Help.
The Multiple Myeloma Hub is an independent medical education platform, sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Roche and Sanofi. The levels of sponsorship listed are reflective of the amount of funding given. View funders.
Now you can support HCPs in making informed decisions for their patients
Your contribution helps us continuously deliver expertly curated content to HCPs worldwide. You will also have the opportunity to make a content suggestion for consideration and receive updates on the impact contributions are making to our content.
Find out moreCreate an account and access these new features:
Bookmark content to read later
Select your specific areas of interest
View mm content recommended for you
In multiple myeloma (MM) patients fitness, particularly in elderly populations, is a vital measure to determine an appropriate and safe treatment plan. The International Myeloma Working Group Frailty Score is a geriatric clinical scoring system that has been adapted for use in patients with MM. This score categorizes patients into fit, intermediate-fit, and frail to guide the treatment pathway.1
During the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Bruno and Mateos presented the latest data from the EMN20 (NCT04096066) and GEM2017FIT (NCT03742297) clinical trials on the treatment of elderly-fit patients, respectively. The Multiple Myeloma Hub is pleased to summarize these presentations below.
EMN20 is a phase III, randomized clinical trial investigating carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) vs lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd) in newly diagnosed fit and intermediate-fit, transplant ineligible patients.
The treatment goal for elderly fit and intermediate fit patients is to achieve deep and prolonged responses, which are limited in standard of care Rd therapy. EMN20 aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of treatment with either intervention for this goal.
The trial design of EMN20 is outlined in Figure 1.
Figure 1. EMN20 trial design*
KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; MRD, measurable residual disease; PD, progressive disease; Rd, lenalidomide-dexamethasone.
*Adapted from Bruno.1
Figure 2 outlines the MRD negativity rates observed at 1-year, 2-year, and sustained for both the Rd and KRd cohorts.
Figure 2. MRD negativity ≥10−5 sensitivity over time*
KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; MRD, measurable residual disease; Rd, lenalidomide-dexamethasone.
*Data from Bruno.1
Figure 3. Response rates*
CR, complete response; KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; PR, partial response; Rd, lenalidomide-dexamethasone; sCR, stringent CR; VGPR, very good PR.
*Adapted from Bruno.1
Table 1. Grade 3–5 adverse events*
AE, adverse event; KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; Rd, lenalidomide-dexamethasone; VTE, venous thromboembolism. |
||
Adverse event, % |
KRd |
Rd |
---|---|---|
Anemia |
7 |
0 |
Neutropenia |
22 |
12 |
Thrombocytopenia |
10 |
2 |
Cardiovascular |
12 |
3 |
Infections |
17 |
11 |
Peripheral neuropathy |
5 |
0 |
VTE |
0 |
5 |
Skin AEs |
5 |
10 |
SARS-COVID19 |
12 |
8 |
The administration of KRd weekly led to higher rates of MRD negativity compared with the Rd regimen, with 40% experiencing sustained negativity. This MRD negativity was also observed to be associated with prolonged periods of PFS in all high-risk groups. The rate of AEs were; however, slightly increased; highlighting the need for observation and management throughout.
GEM2017FIT is a phase III, randomized clinical trial investigating induction with bortezomib-melphalan and prednisone (VMP) followed by Rd vs KRd with or without daratumumab (D), followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy with lenalidomide and daratumumab in elderly fit.
In total, 462 patients were enrolled and assigned to either:
The primary endpoint was MRD negativity by next-generation flow at a sensitivity at 10−5 after 18 cycles of induction.
Figure 4. MRD negativity rates after 18 induction cycles*
D-KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone-daratumumab; KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; MRD, measurable residual disease; OR, odds ratio; VMP-Rd, bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone.
*Adapted from Mateos.2
Figure 5. Best response*
CR, complete response; D-KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone-daratumumab; KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; ORR, overall response rate; PR, partial response; sCR, stringent CR; VGPR, very good PR; VMP-Rd, bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone.
*Adapted from Mateos.2
Table 2. Grade 3–4 adverse events*
D-KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone-daratumumab; KRd, carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone; VMP-Rd, bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone. |
|||
Adverse event, % |
VMP-Rd |
KRd |
D-KRd |
---|---|---|---|
Hematologic |
|
|
|
Neutropenia |
50 |
24 |
47 |
Anemia |
11 |
5 |
10 |
Thrombocytopenia |
34 |
16 |
17 |
Non-hematologic |
|
|
|
Gastrointestinal |
9 |
7 |
12 |
Infections |
12 |
15 |
16 |
Rash |
2 |
12 |
6 |
Cardiovascular |
5 |
11 |
14 |
Cardiac failure |
2 |
2 |
5 |
Hypertension |
— |
5 |
2 |
Treatment with KRd or D-KRd resulted in significantly increased rates of MRD negativity after 18 cycles vs VMP-Rd. These results were mirrored in increased overall response and PFS rates, which were slightly higher than the VMP-Rd group. Toxicities were more common in the KRd arm with progressive disease more common in the VMP-Rd arm, and death-related toxicity in the D-KRd arm.
Overall, the treatment of newly diagnosed MM in elderly fit patients is tending towards more triplet and quadruplet therapies with the developing understanding of the myeloma landscape and increasing availability of novel therapies.
The use of KRd has been observed to result in high rates of MRD negativity in both the whole cohort and transplant ineligible groups, with the addition of daratumumab showing evidence of further improvement in the 65–80-year age category. However, longer periods of observation with these combination therapies are required to determine where dose reductions may be appropriate in patients reaching MRD negativity to reduce toxicity rates and improve quality of life.
References
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements:
The content was clear and easy to understand
The content addressed the learning objectives
The content was relevant to my practice
I will change my clinical practice as a result of this content