Carfilzomib Improves Overall Survival in Multiple Myeloma

Carfilzomib and dexamethasone significantly improve overall survival over standard bortezomib and dexamethasone among patients with multiple myeloma, according to a press release.¹

The results of the phase 3 ENDEAVOR trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01568866), which will be presented at the 16^th International Myeloma Workshop in New Delhi, India, included over 900 patients and showed a median 7.6 month overall survival improvement for carfilzomib over bortezomib (47.6 and 40 months, respectively).

Carfilzomib with dexamethasone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for improvements in progression-free survival, but this study also showed an overall survival benefit, which “has rarely been demonstrated in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma,” according to Dr Sean E. Harper’s statement in the press release. Dr Harper is the executive vice president of research and development at Amgen, the developer of carfilzomib.

Adverse events included “anemia, diarrhea, pyrexia, dyspnea, fatigue, hypertension, cough, insomnia, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema, nausea, bronchitis, asthenia, back pain, thrombocytopenia, and headache.”

Carfilzomib (KYPROLIS) is a proteasome inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma receiving at least a second line of therapy, either alone, with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, or with dexamethasone alone.

Reference

1. Phase 3 head-to-head trial showed KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) significantly improved overall survival compared to Velcade® (bortezomib) in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients [news release]. Thousand Oaks, CA: Amgen; February 28, 2017. http://www.amgen.com/media/news-releases/2017/02/phase-3-headtohead-trial-showed-kyprolis-carfilzomib-significantly-improved-overall-survival-compared-to-velcade-bortezomib-in-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma-patients/. Accessed March 2, 2017.