ASH 2020 | Design of a Phase I trial of eftozanermin alfa plus bortezomib and dex in R/R myeloma

Philippe Moreau, MD, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France, explains the design of a Phase Ib trial (NCT04570631) of eftozanermin alfa, a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor agonist, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma. The TRAIL pathway is directly involved in apoptosis of tumor cells, but early generation receptor agonists have had little success in myeloma. Eftozanermin alfa is an investigational next-generation TRAIL receptor agonist designed to optimize receptor clustering and has been efficacious when combined with proteasome inhibitors in pre-clinical models. 40 patients will be enrolled to receive the combination therapy, with the aims of determining its recommended Phase II dose and the overall response rate. The study will also investigate duration of response, pharmacokinetics, safety, measurable residual disease status and biomarkers. This interview took place during the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2020.