What is the impact of belantamab mafodotin on QoL in patients with MM?

The Multiple Myeloma Hub spoke to Vania Tietsche de Moraes Hungria, Clínica São Germano, São Paolo, BR. We asked, What is the impact of belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) on quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM)? 

Hungria provided insights into the mechanism of action of belamaf, its efficacy and safety in heavily pre-treated patients, and the latest findings from the phase III DREAMM-7 (NCT04246047) study. Hungria discussed how belamaf in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BelaVd) impacts disease progression, survival, and patient-reported outcomes compared to daratumumab with Vd (DaraVd). This discussion also evaluated the safety profile of belamaf, including ocular side effects and their impact on QoL.

Key learnings

• Belamaf is an antibody–drug conjugate that targets the B-cell maturation antigen on malignant plasma cells.
• Belamaf has previously demonstrated promising anti-myeloma activity and a manageable safety profile as a sole agent in patients with heavily pre-treated MM.

DREAMM-7^1,2

• DREAMM-7 is a phase III, randomized study evaluating BelaVd vs DaraVd in patients with relapsed/refractory MM.
• A statistically significant benefit in progression-free survival, overall survival, duration of response, and measurable residual disease negativity were observed with BelaVd.
• Patients reported stable quality of life, physical functioning, fatigue, and disease symptoms, with no significant differences between treatment arms.
• Ocular toxicities were more common during the initial phase of treatment but generally improved as dosing frequency was reduced, highlighting dose modification as an effective strategy to manage these effects.
• Among patients who experienced a clinically meaningful decline in visual acuity, overall QoL remained comparable to those treated with DaraVd.
• BelaVd has a limited impact on health-related QoL, supporting its potential as a new standard of care treatment for relapsed/refractory MM.

This educational resource is independently supported by GSK. All content was developed by SES in collaboration with an expert steering committee; funders are allowed no influence on the content of this resource.