EHA 2022 | AGMT MM 02: KTd vs KRd induction therapy & carfilzomib maintenance in NDMM

Heinz Ludwig, MD, Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria, outlines the results of AGMT MM 02 (NCT02891811), a Phase II trial comparing carfilzomib+thalidomide+dexamethasone (KTd) to carfilzomib+lenalidomide+dexamethasone (KRd) as an induction therapy and carfilzomib maintenance in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are not transplant-eligible. The study reported a similar high efficacy in terms of overall response rate (ORR) and did not report a statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between both groups. However, the study showed that patients who are measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative had a significantly longer PFS. In addition, whilst there was no difference in PFS and OS between older and younger patients, patients with high-risk cytogenetics had significantly worse outcomes in comparison to patients with standard-risk cytogenetics. A high immune score was also associated with a lower PFS. Both treatments were associated with distinct but acceptable toxicity profiles. Lastly, there was no statistically significant difference in PFS in patients treatment with carfilzomib maintenance. This interview took place at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress 2022 held in Vienna, Austria.