Positive Clinical Trial Results for Multiple Myeloma Patients

Wonderful news for multiple myeloma patients with interim results of a new clinical trial (MAIA) reporting positive outcomes.  Multiple myeloma patients who were not candidates for high dose chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplants were treated with daratumumab (monoclonal antibody) in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone or with just lenalidomide and dexamethasone.  Patients in the daratumumab group had improved progression free survival (PFS) compared to treatment with just lenalidomide and dexamethasone. There was a 45% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients treated with daratumumab. The median PFS for patients treated with daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone was not reached, compared to an estimated median PFS of 31.9 months for patients who received lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.  Daratumumab is currently approved for use in Australia for multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy.