Retrospective assessment of the SWOG0777 and SWOG 1211 studies showing that dose reductions in dexamethasone did not affect outcomes. Nice to see this does not have a negative impact, as I have been doing this for years in my elderly patients who would not tolerate the ultra-high dose steroids used in these trials.
Dexamethasone is a key component of induction for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), despite common toxicities, including hyperglycemia and insomnia. In the randomized ECOG E4A03 trial, dexamethasone 40 mg once weekly was associated with lower mortality than higher doses. However, the performance of dexamethasone dose reductions below this threshold with regard to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NDMM has not been fully characterized. We conducted a secondary pooled analysis of the SWOG 0777 and SWOG 1211 studies of NDMM, which used lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) alone, with or without bortezomib, and with or without elotuzumab. The planned dexamethasone intensity was 40 to 60 mg weekly in all arms. Patients were categorized into FD-DEX (full-dose dexamethasone maintained throughout induction) or LD-DEX (lowered-dose dexamethasone or discontinuation; only permitted for grade 3+ toxicities per both study protocols). Of the 541 evaluated patients, the LD-DEX group comprised 373 patients (69%). There were no differences in PFS or OS between the FD-DEX and LD-DEX groups, which were balanced in terms of age, stage, and performance status. Predictors of PFS and OS in the multivariate models were treatment arm, age ≥70 years, and thrombocytopenia. FD-DEX did not significantly improve either outcome. Our study suggests that dexamethasone dose reductions are common in multiple myeloma, even within clinical trials. Given the many toxicities and unclear benefits of dexamethasone in the era of modern treatment regimens, dexamethasone dose reduction during NDMM induction warrants further prospective studies. These trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00644228 and NCT01668719.
Direct comparison of Dara+len vs. len maintenance for those with +MMR after Auto-HSCT. MRD-neg conversion rates were higher in the combo arm. This is likely going to continue gaining traction in this group of patients.
MRD at year 1 can be prognostic in pt who had AutoBMT followed by maintenance linolidomide. Please use MRD wisely … it can be expensive.
First line regimen, first quad for transplant INELIGIBLE patients, PFS at 5 years is 63% vs 45% for RVD. This will probably be the new standard of care for this population with manageable toxicity. Recall Dara RVD is for transplant eligible patients.
This regimen vs pomalidomie, bortezomib and dexma. 12-month estimated progression-free survival with BPd was 71% compared with 51% with PVd (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.52) Ocular toxicity Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 94% of the patients in the BPd group and 76% of those in the PVd group.
This regimen vs Daratumamab, bortezomib and dexa. Median progression-free survival was 36.6 months in the BVd group and 13.4 in the DVd Overall survival at 18 months was 84% in the BVd group and 73% in the DVd group. Again higher ocular toxicity but manageable with dose adjustment and supportive therapy. Those trials may be the come back for Belantamab.
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