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ASCO 2019: Venetoclax Updates with Mike Thompson, MD, PhD, Advocate Aurora Health
Posted: Jun 18, 2019
ASCO 2019: Venetoclax Updates with Mike Thompson, MD, PhD, Advocate Aurora Health image

Venetoclax is the first drug that was determined to work for a specific type of genetic feature found in multiple myeloma patients called the 11;14 translocation. This means that part of chromosome 11 has swapped places with parts of chromosome 14 on the myeloma cells. This is the most common translocation found in myeloma patients (20% of patients) and is found to be a standard risk feature. Venetoclax works as a BCL-2 inhibitor and other relapsed or refractory myeloma patients can respond to it as well. 

In a Phase 1/2 study (ECOG-ACRIN EAA172), researchers compared daratumumab/bortezomib/dex with daratumumab/bortezomb/dex/venetoclax. In these early studies, safety and dosing are always the goal. This study went on clinical hold (meaning it could not recruit new patients) because of data that came out in a separate study using venetoclax with bortezomib and dex (the BELLINI trial). 

Combination therapy with daratumumab and bortezomib (DVd) has become a standard of care in relapsed/refractory myeloma and the hypothesis is that adding venetoclax could improve outcomes, especially for the t(11;14) patients.

In the Phase II study, 240 patients will be included with 1/3 of patients having t(11;14) and 2/3 of patients having no t(11;14). Investigators are looking forward to the continuation and results of this study. 

 

 

The author Jennifer Ahlstrom

about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom

Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of HealthTree Foundation (formerly Myeloma Crowd). 

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