Dr. Callander on the Expanding Role of Belantamab Mafodotin in Multiple Myeloma

Natalie S. Callander, MD, a professor of medicine of the the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, discusses the expanding role of belantamab mafodotin-blmf (Blenrep) in multiple myeloma.

Belantamab mafodotin, a BCMA-directed antibody-drug conjugate, has demonstrated response rates of just over 30% in patients with heavily pretreated, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Notably, some patients derived deep and durable responses with belantamab mafodotin as monotherapy, explains Callander.

However, combination regimens with belantamab mafodotin offer potential strategies to improve the response rates observed with single-agent therapy, says Callander. For example, during the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, data from trials evaluating belantamab mafodotin in combinations with bortezomib (Velcade) and pomalidomide (Pomalyst) were presented and showed significantly higher response rates versus those observed with belantamab mafodotin alone.

Additionally, belantamab mafodotin plus bortezomib, lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone is being evaluated as an induction regimen for transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the phase 1 DREAMM-9 trial (NCT04091126). Belantamab mafodotin is also being evaluated as a potential option for patients with amyloidosis, concludes Callander.