KRd Improves QoL vs Rd Alone in Multiple Myeloma

Carfilzomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) improves quality of life without negatively affecting patient-reported symptoms, versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) alone, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.¹

The phase 3 ASPIRE trial compared the efficacy and safety of KRd with that of Rd in 792 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. The addition of carfilzomib reduced the risk of progression or death by 31% (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57-0.83).

Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and myeloma-specific module at baseline, day 1 of cycles 3, 6, 12, and 18, and after treatment.

The Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QoL) scale and 7 subscales were also evaluated.

Among respondents, patients who received KRd reported higher GHS/QoL scores versus patients in the Rd group over 18 treatment cycles.

There were no significant differences in fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, physical functioning, role function, disease symptoms, or adverse effects of therapy between the 2 treatment arms.

At cycle 12, 25.5% of respondents who received carfilzomib reported a 5 point or greater improvement in GHS/QoL compared with 17.4% who received KRd alone; at cycle 18, those rates were 24.2% and 12.9%, respectively.

Reference

1. Stewart AK, Dimopoulos MA, Masszi T, et al. Health-related quality of life results from the open-label, randomized, phase III ASPIRE trial evaluating carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Sep 6. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.66.9648 [Epub ahead of print]