I am a relapsed patient and have started on Empliciti (elotuzumab) infusions. I have had nine infusions with minimal results. My M-spike is stable, IgG numbers fluctuate 200 points, light chains are close to normal range.
I have concerns on the timeline for this treatment. Does it take longer for results since it is an antibody treatment, or should it show results immediately?
My doctor is recommending two more infusions, after which we'll have to move to another treatment. Anyone out there who has had this treatment or going through it? Would love to have your opinion.
Thanks
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Re: How fast is the response to Empliciti treatment?
Hi Cyndy,
I have been in a clinical trial getting Empliciti since May 2014. I am also getting Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone. I have kappa light chain myeloma (no M-Spike) and my light chains started decreasing in the first month. It's hard to say which of those drugs is responsible for such a fast response. I have heard with Empliciti that the response gets better as time goes on. I'm assuming you are also taking other drugs along with Empliciti, as my understanding is that it does not work by itself.
I have been in a clinical trial getting Empliciti since May 2014. I am also getting Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone. I have kappa light chain myeloma (no M-Spike) and my light chains started decreasing in the first month. It's hard to say which of those drugs is responsible for such a fast response. I have heard with Empliciti that the response gets better as time goes on. I'm assuming you are also taking other drugs along with Empliciti, as my understanding is that it does not work by itself.
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Janet1520
Re: How fast is the response to Empliciti treatment?
I cannot answer from personal experience yet, but I am scheduled to start in a clinical trial for Empliciti (elotuzumab), Pomalyst (pomalidomide) and dexamethasone (EPD) in two weeks. During discussion with my doctor, he also mentioned that it can take 2-3 months for the response to kick in. Also, if you are only getting Empliciti, without some other drug like Revlimid or Pomalyst, or dexamethasone, you may be less likely to respond.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: How fast is the response to Empliciti treatment?
Hi,
I was on Empliciti, Revlimid, and dex for about four months. I also have the kappa light chain version of multiple myeloma, so the main concern was getting those numbers down. (I'd been on Velcade maintenance for about 18 months post-transplant, when the kappa numbers started rising.)
I had a slight response to the treatment at first, with the kappa numbers declining slightly, but after another few treatments they actually started to rise quite a bit. So the doctor determined that it really wasn't helping me and stopped it. He started me on Ninlaro (ixazomib), Revlimid, and dex, and I've had a very good response to that after only two treatments, with the kappa light chains declining from around 8 to around 2.5. Hoping that continues!
The only thing I would add is that when I was on the Empliciti, the doctor had me on 20 mg of dex a week instead of the usual 40, because I am so sensitive to it. I don't know if that reduced dosage had anything to do with my weak response - he didn't seem to think so. Now I'm on the full 40 mg of dex with the Ninlaro and am not enjoying that much. But if it works, I'll stick with it.
Good luck!
I was on Empliciti, Revlimid, and dex for about four months. I also have the kappa light chain version of multiple myeloma, so the main concern was getting those numbers down. (I'd been on Velcade maintenance for about 18 months post-transplant, when the kappa numbers started rising.)
I had a slight response to the treatment at first, with the kappa numbers declining slightly, but after another few treatments they actually started to rise quite a bit. So the doctor determined that it really wasn't helping me and stopped it. He started me on Ninlaro (ixazomib), Revlimid, and dex, and I've had a very good response to that after only two treatments, with the kappa light chains declining from around 8 to around 2.5. Hoping that continues!
The only thing I would add is that when I was on the Empliciti, the doctor had me on 20 mg of dex a week instead of the usual 40, because I am so sensitive to it. I don't know if that reduced dosage had anything to do with my weak response - he didn't seem to think so. Now I'm on the full 40 mg of dex with the Ninlaro and am not enjoying that much. But if it works, I'll stick with it.
Good luck!
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Karen - Name: Karen
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: How fast is the response to Empliciti treatment?
Hi.
I have just finished the first cycle of Empliciti (elotuzumab).
The paraprotein and free light chain numbers taken before the end of the cycle have increased slightly. My haematologist thinks it is not working.
Is this likely to be true? Is there any precedent for the Empliciti kicking in at a later stage?
I have just finished the first cycle of Empliciti (elotuzumab).
The paraprotein and free light chain numbers taken before the end of the cycle have increased slightly. My haematologist thinks it is not working.
Is this likely to be true? Is there any precedent for the Empliciti kicking in at a later stage?
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skippy - Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 50
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