ASH 2016 | Benefits of early therapeutic intervention for high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma patients

Irene Ghobrial, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses the benefits of early therapeutic interventions for patients with high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma (MM). Experts have started looking at defining which patients are likely going to progress and if they can be treated early, especially those with high-risk smouldering myeloma. There have been prior studies with high-risk smouldering myeloma using lenalidomide and dexamethasone (NCT00480363). Experts have since built onto that by adding elotuzumab, which is an antibody that activates the immune system. Dr Ghobrial discusses the Phase II trial (NCT02279394) of a combination of elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma. The preliminary data shows an overall response rate (ORR) of 80%. It is, however, too early to say whether they will see the progression-free survival (PFS) they are hoping for. The aim is to try and decrease the number of high-risk smouldering myeloma patients who progress or develop end organ damage. Recorded at the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, CA.