The Absolute Benefit of Daratumumab for Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Over the weekend at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2020 Annual Meeting, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies shared new data from the phase 3 APOLLO trial showing subcutaneous daratumumab plus pomalidomide significantly reduced progression-free survival and mortality risk in approximately 37% of treated patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.

Aside from being contributory to a vastly developed portfolio of daratumumab for the add-on treatment of myeloma, the new findings depict the means by which patient-centric needs and wants are being fulfilled by a therapy regimen.

In an interview with HCPLive during ASH 2020, Mark Wildgust, PhD, vice president of Global Medical Affairs - Oncology for Janssen, emphasized that daratumumab-pomalidomide gives patients what they really want when treating their multiple myeloma: more time.

“The question is, ‘What do you do for these core risk group of patients?’ I think APOLLO shows that in a patient who is lenalidomide refractory that using (daratumumab-pomalidomide) is a very good option, and the subcutaneous form really improves convenience for those patients,” Wildgust said.

Wildgust added that treatment simplicity and accessibility through the subcutaneous administration has been an added benefit for such patients, as has been the limited rate of infusion- or injection-associated adverse events.

Lastly, at a time when the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced limitations on in-person clinical visits, the method has stood out as a preferred, quick method of care.

Wildgust also discussed the future assessment and possible utility of daratumumab in multiple myeloma subtypes.