Dr. Yee on the Role of Carfilzomib in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Andrew Yee, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, hematologist/oncologist, Center for Multiple Myeloma, Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses the role of carfilzomib (Kyprolis) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Carfilzomib has demonstrated utility as a single agent and in doublet and triplet regimens for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

For example, findings from the phase 3 ENDEAVOR trial demonstrated superior progression-free survival and overall survival with the combination of carfilzomib and dexamethasone compared with the combination of bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone in the relapsed/refractory setting. Additionally, carfilzomib is associated with a lower risk of peripheral neuropathy compared with bortezomib, says Yee.

Data from the phase 3 CANDOR trial showed that the addition of daratumumab (Darzalex) to carfilzomib/dexamethasone reduced the risk of disease progression or death for patients with relapsed/refractory disease compared with carfilzomib/dexamethasone alone.

Additionally, data from the phase 3 ARROW study showed that carfilzomib dosed once weekly at 70 mg/m² improved progression-free survival compared with the standard twice-weekly dose of 27 mg/m².

As such, the platform for triplet-based combinations and weekly dosing of carfilzomib has become the foundation for future investigational efforts, concludes Yee.