Preliminary Safety Results of Triplet Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Reported
Posted: Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Most patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma seemed to tolerate the triple therapy of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax in combination with the second-generation protease inhibitor carfilzomib and dexamethasone, with an overall response rate of 83% among subgroups. The lead study author, Luciano J. Costa, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, presented these preliminary safety and efficacy results at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract 8004).
In this phase II trial, 26 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma received the combination treatment of venetoclax plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone in 3 cycles, with an escalating dosage until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 68% of patients had stage II or III disease, and 23% of patients had t(11;14) translocation. Between one to three prior lines of therapy had been received by the study patients.
Adverse events were observed in 85% of treated patients, and grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (15%), hypertension (12%), thrombocytopenia (8%), decreased white blood cell count (8%), and nausea (4%). No dose-limiting toxicities were reported. Three patients discontinued the study because of progressive disease, physician decision, or death.
Of the 17 patients who completed at least 2 cycles, 3 achieved a complete response, 2 had a very good partial response, 3 had a partial response, 3 had stable disease, and 2 had progressive disease. In the five evaluable patients with t(11;14) translocation, one achieved a complete response, one had a very good partial response, and three achieved a partial response.
To date, 34 patients are enrolled in the study, and accrual continues.
