[raokrishna]

Pomalyst (pomalidomide) or Darzalex (daratumumab)?

by raokrishna on Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:20 pm

My mother-in-law, 62, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013.

She was treated first with bortezomib (Velcade), cyclo­phos­phamide, and dexa­metha­sone. After getting a partial response, she was taken off the medication.

Last year, the disease relapsed. She was given radiation (she had developed a tumour) and another treatment regimen: lenalidomide (Revlimid), bortezomib (Velcade), and dexamethasone. She achieved a complete response around 2-3 months ago.

However, the disease has since relapsed. Doctors have suggested we change the medication. There are two options:

1) Introduce pomalidomide (Pomalyst, Imnovid) instead of lenalidomide.
2) Daratumumab (Darzalex)

The latter is quite expensive, though we might be able to afford it (at a significant expense).

What would be the best approach given my mother's circumstances? We understand that these calls are taken from patient to patient, and we are best advised by our doctor.

[NStewart]

Re: Pomalyst (pomalidomide) or Darzalex (daratumumab)?

by NStewart on Mon Sep 04, 2017 2:38 pm

It would be helpful to know what country you are located in.

I currently am getting Darzalex (dara­tu­mumab) with no other drug except for dexamethasone before the infusion and an extremely low dose for 2 days following the infusion. My medical insurance covers the cost of the Darzalex infusion. I have minimal side effects from it and it has been bringing my multiple myeloma numbers down. My oncologist has said that if my response to Darzalex isn't significant enough using it by itself that he would like to add Pomalyst (pomalidomide). In the U.S., Darzalex is usually given along with one of the imids (particularly Revlimid or Pomalyst) or proteasome inhibitors (primarily Velcade or Kyprolis).

I hope this helps some. As with the others who have responded to you, I am not a doctor. So, this is from my experience only.

Nancy in Phila