Pomalidomide Plus Low-Dose Dexamethasone in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Renal Impairment:

Meletios Dimopoulos1, Katja Weisel1, Niels W C J van de Donk1

  • 1Meletios Dimopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Katja Weisel, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Niels W.C.J. van de Donk, VU Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam; Pieter Sonneveld, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Karthik Ramasamy, Oxford University Hospital and NIHR BRC Blood Theme, Oxford; Matthew Streetly, Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Barbara Gamberi, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia; Massimo Offidani, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona; Antonio Ardizzoia, Oncology Department, ASST Lecco, Lecco, Italy; Frank Bridoux, University Hospital and University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Javier de la Rubia, Hematology Service University Hospital Doctor Peset and Universidad Católica de Valencia "San Vicente Mártir," Valencia; Maria-Victoria Mateos, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Elisabeth Kueenburg, Shona Collins, Antonia Di Micco, Barbara Rosettani, and Pamela Bacon, Celgene International, Boudry, Switzerland; and Yan Li, Translational Development and Clinical Pharmacology, Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ.

Insights

Pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone effectively treats relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in patients with renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis. The treatment demonstrated acceptable safety and efficacy across different stages of renal dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Renal impairment (RI) significantly limits treatment options for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
  • Effective and safe therapeutic strategies are needed for RRMM patients with compromised kidney function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (LoDEX) in RRMM patients with moderate to severe RI.
  • To assess outcomes in patients requiring hemodialysis.

Main Methods:

  • A phase II trial (MM-013) enrolled 81 RRMM patients into three cohorts based on renal function: moderate RI, severe RI, and severe RI requiring hemodialysis.
  • Patients received pomalidomide 4 mg/d (days 1-21) and LoDEX (20 or 40 mg weekly) in 28-day cycles.
  • The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR).

Main Results:

  • Overall response rates were 39.4% (moderate RI), 32.4% (severe RI), and 14.3% (hemodialysis).
  • Disease control was achieved in 100%, 79.4%, and 78.6% of patients, respectively.
  • Median overall survival varied from 16.4 months (moderate RI) to 5.2 months (hemodialysis). Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events were more frequent in the hemodialysis cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Pomalidomide plus LoDEX is an effective treatment for RRMM patients with moderate to severe renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis.
  • The safety profile was acceptable across all renal impairment groups, with no new safety signals identified.
  • Pomalidomide pharmacokinetics were consistent among the renal cohorts, supporting its use in this population.

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