Phase 2 study of dovitinib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with or without t(4;14)

Christof Scheid1, Donna Reece2, Meral Beksac3

  • 1University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Abstract

Insights

Dovitinib did not show efficacy as a single agent for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, it may stabilize disease in some patients with the t(4;14) translocation.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Approximately 15% of multiple myeloma (MM) cases feature a t(4;14) translocation, often activating fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3).
  • Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play a role in MM pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dovitinib, an RTK inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.
  • To assess dovitinib's activity in patients with and without the t(4;14) translocation.

Main Methods:

  • A phase 2 trial enrolled adult patients with relapsed or refractory MM who had received at least two prior regimens.
  • Patients were stratified by t(4;14) translocation status and treated with dovitinib (500 mg/day orally) on a 5-days-on/2-days-off schedule.
  • The primary endpoint was overall response rate, with treatment potentially continuing with dexamethasone for non-responders.

Main Results:

  • No objective responses were observed in any patients treated with dovitinib.
  • Disease stabilization occurred in 61.5% of t(4;14)-positive patients and 34.6% of t(4;14)-negative patients.
  • Adverse events were common, with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue being most frequent.

Conclusions:

  • Dovitinib demonstrated no single-agent activity in relapsed or refractory MM.
  • The drug may offer a disease-stabilizing effect in a subset of t(4;14)-positive patients.
  • Further investigation into combination therapies or specific patient populations may be warranted.

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