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VIDEO: Triplet combination therapy shows promise for treating myeloma
Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ixazomib and elotuzumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone to treat patients with multiple myeloma, and, according to Noopur Raje, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, these results indicate a promising approach to the future of treating these patients.
Raje discusses the results of a phase 3 study presented at the ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition that demonstrated that the addition of the oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib (Ninlaro, Takeda Pharmaceuticals) to lenalidomide (Revlimid, Celgene) and dexamethasone significantly prolonged PFS without increasing toxicity among patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma.
She said that she would consider using or adding ixazomib to her patient’s treatments.
“Three drugs are better than two drugs and if three drugs can be better tolerated in this space and setting, that would be what one would consider using,” she said.
Raje also highlights the results of another phase 3 study that demonstrated the addition of elotuzumab (Empliciti, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AbbVie) to lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly prolonged PFS in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
“I think more and more, the data in the upfront – as well as in the relapsed setting – points to using combinations,” she said.