There were 4 posters about carfilzomib (the next generation proteasome inhibitor):
- Phase 2 study of carfilzomib in Velcade-naive patients showing about a 50% response rate and minimal neuropathy
- Phase 2b study showing that cytogenetics do not affect patient response to carfilzomib (in fact the response rate for patients with one or more abnormalities was greater than the response rate for patients with no abnormalities)
- Long-term results showing that carfilzomib is well-tolerated during extended treatment (60% of patients are still being treated, and 30% have been treated for more than 1.5 years)
- A safety analysis of four Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials showed that carfilzomib was well-tolerated with very low rates of severe side effects. The most common severe side effect was pneumonia (3.5%). Very few patients experienced peripheral neuropathy (4% overall and 0.4% severe neuropathy)
- Phase 1 study of Zolinza in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory patients showed that 52% of patients responded with a median time to progression of 5 months. The most common severe side effects were low blood cell counts, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Phase 1 study of Zolinza in combination with Velcade and Doxil in relapsed/refractory patients showed an overall response rate of 72%, and a response rate of 44% in Velcade refractory patients. Low platelet counts were the most common side effect.
- Two Phase 3 studies are evaluating the efficacy of Zolinza in combination with Velcade in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients. Both trials are still recruiting patients. Interim results from one of the studies suggest that the combination may have activity in patients who are refractory to Velcade and Revlimid/thalidomide.
There was one Phase 1 trial investigating elotuzumab, a monoclonal antibody. It was being tested in combination with Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory patients. An objective response (partial response or better) was seen in 82% of patients who had previously been treated with Revlimid and 96% of patients who were Revlimid-naive. Treatment took about 7 weeks before patients responded, and the median time to progression has not yet been reached. The most common severe side effects were low white blood cell and platelet counts.
There were also two posters about lorvotuzumab mertansine (IMGN901), a drug that kills cancer cells bound to an antibody that directs the drug right to the cancer cell:
- Phase 1 study of lorvutuzumab mertansine in heavily pre-treated myeloma patients to determine the maximum tolerated dose and activity of the drug. Preliminary results show 18% of patients achieved an objective response. About half of the patients remained on treatment for at least 3 months, and 7% have been on therapy for more than a year. A few patients have experienced severe fatigue, kidney failure, weekness, or muscle issues.
- Phase 1 study of lorvutuzumab mertansine in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory patients to determine the maximum tolerated dose. The study is still recruiting patients. Early results showed that at the lowest dose to be tested, two out of three patients achieved a partial response and remain on treatment.
