scholarly journals Melflufen: A Peptide–Drug Conjugate for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3120
Author(s):  
María-Victoria Mateos ◽  
Joan Bladé ◽  
Sara Bringhen ◽  
Enrique M Ocio ◽  
Yvonne Efebera ◽  
...  

Despite the availability of new therapies that have led to improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, most patients will eventually relapse. With triplet and even quadruplet combination therapies becoming standard in the first and second line, many patients will have few treatment options after second-line treatment. Melflufen (melphalan flufenamide) is a first-in-class peptide–drug conjugate (PDC) that targets aminopeptidases and rapidly releases alkylating agents into tumor cells. Once inside the tumor cells, melflufen is hydrolyzed by peptidases to release alkylator molecules, which become entrapped. Melflufen showed anti-myeloma activity in myeloma cells that were resistant to bortezomib and the alkylator melphalan. In early phase studies (O-12-M1 and HORIZON [OP-106]), melflufen plus dexamethasone has demonstrated encouraging clinical activity and a manageable safety profile in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, including those with triple-class refractory disease and extramedullary disease. The Phase III OCEAN study (OP-104) is further evaluating melflufen plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The safety profile of melflufen is characterized primarily by clinically manageable hematologic adverse events. Melflufen, with its novel mechanism of action, has the potential to provide clinically meaningful benefits to patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, including those with high unmet needs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062072110196
Author(s):  
Albert Oriol ◽  
Laura Abril ◽  
Anna Torrent ◽  
Gladys Ibarra ◽  
Josep-Maria Ribera

The development of several treatment options over the last 2 decades has led to a notable improvement in the survival of patients with multiple myeloma. Despite these advances, the disease remains incurable for most patients. Moreover, standard combinations of alkylating agents, immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 and corticoids are exhausted relatively fast in a proportion of high-risk patients. Such high-risk patients account for over 20% of cases and currently represent a major unmet medical need. The challenge of drug resistance requires the development of highly active new agents with a radically different mechanism of action. Several immunotherapeutic modalities, including antibody–drug conjugates and T-cell engagers, appear to be promising choices for patients who develop resistance to standard combinations. Chimeric antigen-receptor-modified T cells (CAR-Ts) targeting B-cell maturation antigen have demonstrated encouraging efficacy and an acceptable safety profile compared with alternative options. Multiple CAR-Ts are in early stages of clinical development, but the first phase III trials with CAR-Ts are ongoing for two of them. After the recent publication of the results of a phase II trial confirming a notable efficacy and acceptable safety profile, idecabtagene vicleucel is the first CAR-T to gain regulatory US Food and Drug Administration approval to treat refractory multiple myeloma patients who have already been exposed to antibodies against CD38, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory agents and who are refractory to the last therapy. Here, we will discuss the preclinical and clinical development of idecabtagene vicleucel and its future role in the changing treatment landscape of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 732-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyriakos P. Papadopoulos ◽  
David S. Siegel ◽  
David H. Vesole ◽  
Peter Lee ◽  
Steven T. Rosen ◽  
...  

Purpose Carfilzomib is an irreversible inhibitor of the constitutive proteasome and immunoproteasome. This phase I study evaluated the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of carfilzomib administered as a 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion. Safety and efficacy of carfilzomib as a single agent or in combination with low-dose dexamethasone were assessed. Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) were administered single-agent carfilzomib on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of a 28-day cycle. Cycle one day 1 and 2 doses were 20 mg/m2, followed thereafter by dose escalation to 36, 45, 56, or 70 mg/m2. Additionally, carfilzomib was combined with low-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/wk). Results Thirty-three patients were treated with single-agent carfilzomib. Dose-limiting toxicities in two patients at 70 mg/m2 were renal tubular necrosis and proteinuria (both grade 3). The MTD was 56 mg/m2. Nausea (51.5%), fatigue (51.5%), pyrexia (42.4%), and dyspnea and thrombocytopenia (each 39.4%) were the most common treatment-related toxicities. Overall response rate (ORR) was 50% (56-mg/m2 cohort). Increasing carfilzomib dosing from 20 to 56 mg/m2 resulted in higher area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to last sampling and maximum plasma concentration exposure with short half-life (range, 0.837 to 1.21 hours) and dose-dependent inhibition of proteasome chymotrypsin-like activity. In 22 patients treated with 45 or 56 mg/m2 of carfilzomib plus low-dose dexamethasone, the ORR was 55% with a safety profile comparable to that of single-agent carfilzomib. Conclusion Carfilzomib administered as a 30-minute IV infusion at 56 mg/m2 (as single agent or with low-dose dexamethasone) was generally well tolerated and highly active in patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. These data have provided the basis for the phase III randomized, multicenter trial ENDEAVOR.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Hari ◽  
D. Romanus ◽  
H. J. Henk ◽  
L. K. Becker ◽  
S. J. Noga ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e2018014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masafumi Taniwaki ◽  
Mihoko Yoshida ◽  
Yosuke Matsumoto ◽  
Kazuho Shimura ◽  
Junya Kuroda ◽  
...  

Elotuzumab, targeting signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 7 (SLAMF7), has been approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone   (ELd)   for relapsed/refractory  multiple myeloma (MM) based on the findings of the phase III randomized trial  ELOQUENT-2 (NCT01239797). Four-year  follow-up  analyses  of  ELOQUENT-2 have demonstrated  that  progression-free survival was 21%  in  ELd  versus  14%  in  Ld. Elotuzumab binds a unique epitope on the membrane IgC2 domain of SLAMF7, exhibiting a dual mechanism of  action:  natural  killer  (NK)  cell-mediated  antibody-dependent  cellular  cytotoxicity  (ADCC) and  enhancement  of  NK  cell  activity.  The  ADCC  is  mediated  through  engagement  between  Fc portion  of  elotuzumab  and  FcgRIIIa/CD16  on  NK  cells. Enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity results fromm phosphorylation  of  the  immunoreceptor  tyrosine-based  switch  motif  (ITSM)  that  is induced via elotuzumab binding and recruits the SLAM-associated adaptor protein EAT-2.The coupling of EAT-2 to the phospholipase Cg enzymes SH2 domain leads to enhanced Ca2+. Influx and MAPK/Erk pathway activation, resulting in granule polarization and enhanced exocytosis inNK  cells. Elotuzumab  does not stimulate the  proliferation of MM cells due to a lack of EAT-2.The  inhibitory  effects  of  elotuzumab  on  MM  cell  growth  are  not  induced by  the lack  of  CD45, even  though  SHP-2,  SHP-1,  SHIP-1,  and  Csk may be  recruited  to  phosphorylated  ITSM  of SLAMF7.  ELd  improves PFS in patients  with  high-risk  cytogenetics,  i.e.  t(4;14),  del(17p),  and 1q21  gain/amplification. Since  the immune  state  is  paralytic  in  advanced  MM,  the  efficacy  of ELd with minimal toxicity may bring forward for consideration of its use in the early stages of the disease.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5550-5550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thura Win Htut ◽  
Donald P. Quick ◽  
Myint Aung Win ◽  
Sriman Swarup ◽  
Anita Sultan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Proteasome inhibitors-based regimens are the mainstay of initial therapy for most patients with multiple myeloma. Daratumumab is a human IgGκ monoclonal antibody that targets CD38 with direct antitumor effects and has an immunomodulatory component. Recent studies have demonstrated that addition of daratumumab to standard regimens enhance direct cytotoxicity on myeloma cells and have shown survival benefits. Yet, there are notable safety concerns. We performed a combined analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to determine the risk of second primary malignancies (SPM) and peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) with newer daratumumab combination regimens. Methods: We systematically conducted a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE databases and meeting abstracts from inception through June 2019. Phase III RCTs utilizing daratumumab in patients with multiple myeloma that mention SPM and PSN as adverse effects were incorporated in the analysis. Mantel-Haenszel (MH) method was used to calculate the estimated pooled risk ratio (RR), and risk difference (RD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran's Q- statistic. Random effects model was applied. Results: A total of 3,547 patients with multiple myeloma from 5 phase III RCTs were eligible. Studies compared daratumumab (D) + bortezomib (V) + melphan (M) + prednisone (P) vs VMP, D + lenalidomide (R) + dexamethasone (d) vs Rd, DVd vs Vd and DVd + thalidomide (T) vs VTd. The randomization ratio was 1:1 in all studies. Daratumumab was utilized in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in the POLLUX study (n= 564) and the CASTOR study (n= 480) and as first-line treatment for patients with multiple myeloma in the ALCYONE study (n= 700), the CASSIOPEIA study (n= 1085) and the MAIA study (n= 737). The I2 statistic for heterogeneity was 25, suggesting some heterogeneity among RCT. The SPM incidence was 76 (4.29%) in study group vs 77 (4.34%) in control group. The RR for SPM was 1.12 (95% CI: 0.74 - 1.69; P = 0.58) and RD was 0.01 (95% CI: -0.01 to 0.02; P = 0.34). The RR for SPM was noted at 2.56 (95% CI: 0.26 - 25.46; P = 0.42) in a subset of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Any-grade PSN was reported in 527 (46.84%) in daratumumab arm vs 550 (48.72%) in control arm with the RR of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.80 -1.21; P = 0.88). High-grade PSN was noted in 63 (5.6%) vs 76 (6.73%) in control group with the RR of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.42 -1.27; P = 0.27). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis depicted that there was no significant increase in the risk of second primary malignancies and peripheral sensory neuropathy in patients on daratumumab combination regimen, in newly diagnosed and relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, compared to control arm. However, long-term follow-up of these patients is required to determine the actual relation with second primary malignancies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5574-5574
Author(s):  
Abdul Aziz Siddiqui ◽  
Kazi Najamus-saqib Khan ◽  
Arafat Ali Farooqui ◽  
Muhammad Saad Farooqi ◽  
Muhammad Junaid Tariq ◽  
...  

Introduction: Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) tend to have comorbidities and/or advanced age that make this subset of patients difficult to manage with current drug regimens. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov and Web of Science was performed from inception and completed on 07/17/2019. Studies focusing on efficacy and tolerability of 3-drug regimens in patients with NDMM were included for the review. Results: Out of 3579 studies, a total of 10 (08 phase II and 03 phase III) clinical trials in last ten years (2010-2019) using 3-drug regimens in NDMM elderly pts (893M/807F) ineligible for ASCT (determined by investigators) were selected. A total of 1703/1740 NDMM pts were evaluated. Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) such as carfilzomib (C), bortezomib (V) and ixazomib (I) showed promising results in elderly transplant-ineligible NDMM pts. CLARION trial (phase III, n=955) compared two PIs (C and V) with melphalan (M) and prednisone. There was no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between two groups (median: 22.3 vs 22.1 months; HR: 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75-1.10, p = 0.159) as well as overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.82-1.43). Difference in the least square means of the HR-QoL (Health related- quality of life) was 4.99 (p<.0001) favoring C-group. M may not be an ideal drug to combine with carfilzomib in this setting given more AEs.(Facon et al 2019). V as 3-drug regimen in combination with lenalidomide (L) in 242 pts achieved statistically significant prolonged PFS (median 43 mo) and OS (median 75 mo) with great efficacy and acceptable risk-benefit profile. (Durie et al 2017; phase III). Multinational phase II trial (n=70) by Dimopoulos et al (2019) evaluated I, with different fixed doses of cyclophosphamide (Cy). Median duration was 19 cycles, indicating the long-term tolerability of regimen. With favorable toxicity profile and maintained QoL scores, trial concluded that this therapy is tolerable in elderly transplant-ineligible NDMM pts. Tuchman et al (2017) in phase II trial (n=14) investigated (V-Cy-d) and achieved ORR of 64%, with ≥VGPR of 57%. Low dose V showed great efficacy with M yielding ORR of 86% and VGPR or better of 49% in phase II trial (n=101) that also evaluated Cy as 3-drug combination but results were more productive with M with longer PFS and OS which reduced when impact of frailty was examined on outcomes. Since toxicity was higher with M, trial suggested that 2-drug combination should be preferred in elderly frail patients. (Larocca et al 2015). Efficacy was quite promising when Bringhen et al (2014) trialed C with Cy-d; 87% OS and 76% PFS at 1 y in phase II trial (n=58) with much favorable safety profile. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) such as elotuzumab (E) and pembrolizumab (Pe) are also tested in elderly. First study conducted on NDMM pts using humanized mAb; E, in phase II trial (n=40) by Takezako et al (2017) attained primary endpoint of the study (ORR) of (88%) and VGPR or better of 45% in Japanese pts with tolerable toxicities in elderly. No subjects on this study experienced severe peripheral neuropathy. KEYNOTE-185; a phase III multinational trial by Usmani et al (2019) evaluated Pe with Ld in 151 pts. FDA halted this study due to unfavorable benefit-risk profile; 19 deaths, 6 due to disease progression (PD), and 13 due to treatment-related AEs. Median PFS and median OS were not reached in either group. Immunomodulators such as L achieved one of the longest PFS reported in a trial of transplant ineligible patients (35 mo) by using LVd regimen in phase II multicenter trial (n=50). (O'Donnell et al 2018) Alkylating agents like bendamustine (ben) and M have been tested in different novel regimens. Decreasing intensity and increasing duration of ben resulted in better outcomes in phase II trial (n=59) by Berdeja et al (2016) and can be given as first line treatment. Ben yielded great results with low dose dexa as compared to high dose achieving 92% ORR. Original regimen was effective but relatively more toxic. Incidence of herpes and neuropathy decreased dramatically with the treatment modifications. Conclusion: Three-drug regimens having PIs, mABs, immunomodulators and alkylating agents have shown desirable results in NDMM transplant (ASCT)-ineligible elderly patients and are likely the emerging standard of care for NDMM. Disclosures Anwer: In-Cyte: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (13) ◽  
pp. 1633-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajai Chari ◽  
A. Keith Stewart ◽  
Stuart D. Russell ◽  
Philippe Moreau ◽  
Joerg Herrmann ◽  
...  

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