Sarclisa (isatuximab) when used with carfilzomib and dexamethasone almost doubled progression free survival compared to patients who had carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone, according to new data from the IKEMA study. 

Presented at the Controversies in Multiple Myeloma World Congress in Paris, France, the combination reflects the longest median progression free survival of any proteasome inhibitor backbone therapy used for first-relapsed myeloma patients. 

Myeloma specialist Philippe Moreau, MD of the University Hospital of Nantes, France said: 

“The increase in progression free survival, observed consistently across all subgroups, when adding Sarclisa to carfilzomib and dexamethasone is remarkable in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma in a proteasome inhibitor combination. Relapse is common in multiple myeloma, creating the need for differentiated second-line treatments that provide patients a longer period of time without disease progression. This updated analysis reinforces the potential for Sarclisa to become a new standard of care for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.”

The IKEMA study enrolled 302 relapsed myeloma patients from 69 centers in 16 countries. Myeloma patients in the study had received 1-3 prior myeloma therapies and included patients who had relapsed after lenalidomide. 

The safety profile when used with carfilzomib and dex was consistent with what was seen in prior isatuximab trials with the most common side effects being as follows: 

Having a treatment combination for relapsed patients combined with a proteasome inhibitor (without an immunomodulator) that keeps patients in remission for more than three years is an impressive outcome for patients. We look forward to seeing additional data from additional isatuximab studies.