Daratumumab-Based Combinational Therapy as Second-Line Treatment of Relapsed-Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A...

Daratumumab represents the first-in-class fully humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD38 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Evidence from randomized controlled trials has shown daratumumab to be efficacious in the setting of second-line combinational therapy for pretreated multiple myeloma. However, real-world evidence that supports daratumumab use in daily clinical practice remains scarce.

The primary objective of this study was to describe the real-world clinical and adverse effects observed in RRMM patients receiving daratumumab as second-line therapy.

This was an observational case series with a retrospective chart review of pretreated multiple myeloma patients who received daratumumab-based combinational therapy at an academic medical center. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Additional end points included overall response rates, adverse effects of daratumumab therapy, and subsequent treatment options following daratumumab.

Seventeen patients were included. The overall response rate of daratumumab in our patients with RRMM was 13/17 (76.5%), and the median progression-free survival was 20 months when daratumumab was used in the second-line setting. Common adverse effects included neutropenia (52.9%), thrombocytopenia (64.7%), anemia (35.7%), and pneumonia (35.3%). On follow-up, 10 patients remained alive at the experimental cut-off date, with 2 patients kept on daratumumab-based combinational therapy; 5 patients were switched to carfilzomib-based therapy; and 3 received best supportive care.

In our single-center experience with Taiwanese RRMM patients, daratumumab in combinational therapy showed promising efficacy, and modest tolerance in the second-line setting.