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Melflufen may be best used for multiple myeloma patients without recent stem cell transplant, according to recent findings presented at the International Myeloma Workshop in Vienna. Data from the OCEAN study compared melflufen/dexamethasone vs. pomalidomide/dexamethasone and showed that the melflufen/dex combination had superior Progression Free Survival and was especially helpful for patients who had not received a recent stem cell transplant.
The melflufen/dex combo showed better overall response rate (33%) vs. the pom/dex arm (27%). Progression Free Survival was also better in the melflufen/dex arm (6.8 months vs 4.9 months). Melflufen/dex was also better for older patients.
Presenter Fredrik Schjesvold, MD, head of the Oslo Myeloma Center at the University of Oslo, noted that melflufen/dex group had significantly lower blood counts (thromboctyopenia at 76% in the melflufen/dex arm vs 13% in the pom/dex arm) while the pomolidomide/dex group had more infections. For this reason, he noted that patients who had had a prior stem cell transplant within 2.5 years did not do well at all on the melflufen/dex arm. Patients who had a prior stem cell transplant between 2.5 - 5 years did worse on the melflufen/dex arm than the pom/dex arm. Patients who were out five years from their stem cell transplant did just fine on the melflufen/dex arm as did patients who had never received a stem cell transplant.
This makes sense because the drug used during stem cell transplant, melphalan, is an alkalyting agent that also significantly reduces blood counts for several years following the transplant process. Dr. Schjesvold noted that it was a toleration issue if patients did not have good enough bone marrow function.
In the chart below, you can see the dark blue line that represents the melflufen/dex group who had not had a prior stem cell transplant.
Overall survival was shorter in the melflufen/dex arm (19.8 months) compared to the pom/dex arm (25.0 months).
Dr. Schjesvold concluded that melflufen/dex was a good option for patients who had relapsed after Revlimid and who either had not had a prior transplant or had significant time since their stem cell transplant.
Melflufen may be best used for multiple myeloma patients without recent stem cell transplant, according to recent findings presented at the International Myeloma Workshop in Vienna. Data from the OCEAN study compared melflufen/dexamethasone vs. pomalidomide/dexamethasone and showed that the melflufen/dex combination had superior Progression Free Survival and was especially helpful for patients who had not received a recent stem cell transplant.
The melflufen/dex combo showed better overall response rate (33%) vs. the pom/dex arm (27%). Progression Free Survival was also better in the melflufen/dex arm (6.8 months vs 4.9 months). Melflufen/dex was also better for older patients.
Presenter Fredrik Schjesvold, MD, head of the Oslo Myeloma Center at the University of Oslo, noted that melflufen/dex group had significantly lower blood counts (thromboctyopenia at 76% in the melflufen/dex arm vs 13% in the pom/dex arm) while the pomolidomide/dex group had more infections. For this reason, he noted that patients who had had a prior stem cell transplant within 2.5 years did not do well at all on the melflufen/dex arm. Patients who had a prior stem cell transplant between 2.5 - 5 years did worse on the melflufen/dex arm than the pom/dex arm. Patients who were out five years from their stem cell transplant did just fine on the melflufen/dex arm as did patients who had never received a stem cell transplant.
This makes sense because the drug used during stem cell transplant, melphalan, is an alkalyting agent that also significantly reduces blood counts for several years following the transplant process. Dr. Schjesvold noted that it was a toleration issue if patients did not have good enough bone marrow function.
In the chart below, you can see the dark blue line that represents the melflufen/dex group who had not had a prior stem cell transplant.
Overall survival was shorter in the melflufen/dex arm (19.8 months) compared to the pom/dex arm (25.0 months).
Dr. Schjesvold concluded that melflufen/dex was a good option for patients who had relapsed after Revlimid and who either had not had a prior transplant or had significant time since their stem cell transplant.
about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom
Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can contribute to cures by joining HealthTree Cure Hub and joining clinical research. Founder and CEO of HealthTree Foundation.
