FDA Approval Summary: Belantamab Mafodotin for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

On August 5, 2020, the FDA granted accelerated approval to belantamab mafodotin-blmf (BLENREP; GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent. Substantial evidence of effectiveness was obtained from the phase II, multicenter DREAMM-2 trial. Patients received belantamab mafodotin 2.5 or 3.4 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The trial demonstrated an overall response rate of 31% in the 2.5 mg/kg cohort and 34% in the 3.4 mg/kg cohort. Keratopathy was the most frequent adverse event, occurring in 71% and 77% of patients, respectively. Other ocular toxicities included changes in visual acuity, blurred vision, and dry eye. The U.S. prescribing information for belantamab mafodotin includes a boxed warning for ocular toxicity, and belantamab mafodotin is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. This article summarizes the data and the FDA review process supporting accelerated approval of belantamab mafodotin 2.5 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks. This approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).