GlaxoSmithKline's multiple myeloma drug Blenrep has nearly reduced the risk of disease progression and chances of death compared to the standard treatments for incurable blood cancer by 50%. This data was observed in a late-stage study published in PubMed, NIH. A few weeks back, the comprehensive data from the trial was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.
Multiple myeloma, the world's second-most common blood cancer, starts in plasma cells in the bone marrow and ends up disrupting the production of normal blood cells.
Synopsis of the trial:
This trial consisted of 302 patients with severe multiple myeloma (relapsed/ difficult to treat), more than 70% of those who received Blenrep in combination with the steroid dexamethasone and pomalidomide were alive with much better results as their condition didn't deteriorate towards the end of a year. This was compared with the progression-free survival (PFS) of 51% of those who were treated with pomalidomide, dexamethasone, and bortezomib.
GSK oncology executive Hesham Abdullah said in an interview that the ability to be able to offer a drug like Blenrep in the market that does not require hospitalization and is not restricted by any external barriers is very important.
Over the last couple of years, Blenrep did have a couple of setbacks. When the drug didn't show the expected results while comparing it to an existing treatment in a different late-stage study, it was pulled out from a profitable market like the U.S.A. in 2022.
In March this year, Blenrep met the main goal of improving PFS and proved to be much better than an ongoing treatment. This helped the drug make a comeback in the drug market.
The top-line data from this trial released in March showing it had met the main goal of significantly improving PFS over a current standard treatment regimen appeared to signal a comeback for the drug. GSK also stated that the PFS benefits shown in the trial results prove the potential of the Blenrep combination. If the drug is approved, it'll be a revolutionary treatment for multiple myeloma.
The British drugmaker plans to file marketing applications with global regulators in the second half of 2024.
Treatments for multiple myeloma currently existing in the market include Johnson & Johnson's Darzalex and other generic cancer drugs. In April 2024, the U.S. FDA approved two cell therapies - J&J's Carvykti, and Bristol Myers' Abecma - as drugs to be used during the earlier lines of treatment in less severe multiple myeloma.
Certain eye-related side effects were seen during this drug combination treatment but they were reversible and controllable by some treatments. These side effects also made this study slower as it led to a 9% treatment discontinuation rate.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38828951/
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Aditi Madathingal/MSM)
