Torben Plesner, MD Vejle Hospital, Denmark Interview Date: September 28, 2016

Dr. Plesner was involved in the earliest work on daratumumab (Darzalex). He describes the story of its beginnings and the slow start to ensure maximum safety in early clinical trials. Dr. Plesner shares tips about using daratumumab in the clinic and a new finding that daratumumab can eliminate regulatory cells that are putting the brakes on the immune system, freeing them up to do their job. This may be why daratumumab aids in longer-term responses. He suggests that dexamethasone is a good daratumumab companion to reduce infusion-related reactions. Dr. Plesner shares how daratumumb can affect the loss of blood typing while patients are on the drug and how daratumumab can also can affect monitoring of a patients' level of disease. Doctors and patients must be aware that it can appear as if there is residual disease when there may not be. He shares his thoughts about the best possible combinations and uses of this new drug.

Thanks to our episode sponsor