My wife has high-risk, t(4;14) multiple myeloma and was in the Empliciti (elotuzumab) + dexamethasone trial. It worked very, very well until the dosage decreased (after 8 cycles) to the maintenance therapy level. After about a month on the maintenance dose, her kappa free light chain level started to climb.
They took her off that trial and recently started her on Kyprolis and Pomalyst and rechecked her numbers after 2 weeks of receiving the drugs. About 36 days had lapsed between the 2 sets of test results. Her numbers were even higher than the previous month. Her free light chain ratio increased and her paraprotein is at 2% now. The paraprotein has increased about 1.5% from its lowest level.
The doctor wants to recheck her numbers again, soon, and if there is not a decline, he wants to start VD-PACE instead of the Kyprolis and Pomalyst. She would have to be admitted for this.
We are uncertain about this and feel it may be too early to abandon the Kyprolis and Pomalyst. She only had been receiving them 14 days prior to the most recent lab testing. I was wondering if anyone has experience with these drugs and if she should stay on them longer before switching to a different treatment? I read that it could take 1.5 to 2 months to get a response on Pomalyst, so it seems like we should try for another cycle at least. She has now completed the first full cycle.
Has anyone experienced a delayed response on these drugs, or no response, or should they be working immediately?
They are wanting to get it under control and do an allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplant.
|
||
Independent, up-to-date news and information for the multiple myeloma community. |
|
