Quadruple Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

(ADVANCE Trial)

Recruiting at 6 trial locations

Overseen By Philip Arlen

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of Miami

Must be taking: Thromboprophylactic agents

Must not be taking: Anti-CD38 therapies

Disqualifiers: Plasma cell leukemia, Amyloidosis, COPD, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 32 weeks

310 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is being done to find out whether carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRD) or KRD and Daratumumab (KRD+DARA) might be safer and more effective ways of controlling multiple myeloma than the stand or care treatment, which is lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (VRD).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have been on certain treatments for multiple myeloma, a 2-week period without those medications is required before starting the trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination used in the Quadruple Therapy for Multiple Myeloma?

Research shows that combining carfilzomib, daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is effective for treating multiple myeloma, especially in patients who have relapsed or have not responded to previous treatments. These drugs work well together, with studies indicating they are active against the disease and have a tolerable safety profile. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the quadruple therapy for multiple myeloma safe?

The combination of carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab has shown tolerable safety in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide with dexamethasone is also considered safe, though it may cause side effects like fatigue, muscle cramps, and infections. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

What makes the quadruple drug therapy for multiple myeloma unique?

The quadruple therapy for multiple myeloma, which includes carfilzomib, daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, is unique because it combines a monoclonal antibody (daratumumab) with a proteasome inhibitor (carfilzomib), an immunomodulatory drug (lenalidomide), and a steroid (dexamethasone), potentially offering improved progression-free survival compared to traditional triplet regimens. ^{1 2 5 7 8}

Research Team

Carl Landgren, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Miami

Eligibility Criteria

Adults aged 18-75 with newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma, able to perform daily activities (ECOG 0-2), and have good heart, kidney, liver, and blood function. Participants must not have had more than one cycle of prior MM treatment or exposure to certain drugs. They should be free from significant heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, severe lung conditions like COPD, and active infections including HIV and COVID-19.

Inclusion Criteria

I am able to care for myself and perform daily activities.

I have been recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

I am able to have children, not pregnant, and use birth control.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have severe stomach issues, nerve pain, drug allergies, or recent major surgery.

I do not have HIV, hepatitis B or C, or active COVID-19.

I have conditions like leukemia, COPD, high blood pressure, or diabetes that are not well-controlled.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either VRD, KRD, or DKrd on a 21 or 28 day cycle for up to 8 cycles, depending on the arm. Participants achieving a PR or better continue treatment, while those with less than PR after 4 cycles go off study therapy.

32 weeks

Maintenance

Participants who are MRD positive may receive an ASCT before initiating maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years. MRD negative participants go directly to maintenance therapy.

Up to 2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of progression-free survival and overall survival.

Up to 3 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Carfilzomib
• Daratumumab
• Dexamethasone
• Lenalidomide

Trial Overview The trial is testing if a combination of carfilzomib, lenalidomide & dexamethasone (KRD) alone or with Daratumumab (KRD+DARA) is safer/more effective for controlling multiple myeloma compared to the standard care combo of lenalidomide, bortezomib & dexamethasone (VRD).

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm C- Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone with Daratumumab (DKrd) Experimental Treatment 8 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone with Daratumumab, Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine and Montelukast on a 28 day cycle. Participants achieving a PR or better at the end of 4 cycles will continue to receive a total of 8 cycles of combination therapy. Participants with less than PR after completing 4 cycles will go off study therapy. After 8 cycles of therapy, participants who are MRD positive will have the option to receive an ASCT if stem cells were able to be extracted, before initiating maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years, and patients who are MRD negative will go directly on to receive maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years.

Group II: Arm B - Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (KRD) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone on a 28 day cycle. Participants achieving a PR or better at the end of 4 cycles will continue to receive a total of 8 cycles of combination therapy. Participants with less than PR after completing 4 cycles will go off study therapy. After 8 cycles of therapy, participants who are MRD positive will have the option to receive an ASCT if stem cells were able to be extracted, before initiating maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years, and patients who are MRD negative will go directly on to receive maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years.

Group III: Arm A - Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (VRD) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone on a 21 day treatment cycle. Participants achieving a PR or better at the end of 4 cycles will continue to receive a total of 8 cycles of combination therapy. Participants with less than PR after completing 4 cycles will go off study therapy. After 8 cycles of therapy, participants who are MRD positive will have the option to receive an ASCT if stem cells were able to be extracted, before initiating maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years, and patients who are MRD negative will go directly on to receive maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide for up to 2 years.

Carfilzomib is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Kyprolis for:

• Multiple myeloma

Approved in European Union as Kyprolis for:

• Multiple myeloma

Approved in Canada as Kyprolis for:

• Multiple myeloma

Approved in Japan as Kyprolis for:

• Multiple myeloma

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Miami

Lead Sponsor

Trials

976

Recruited

423,000+

Amgen

Industry Sponsor

Trials

1,508

Recruited

1,433,000+

Founded

1980

Headquarters

Thousand Oaks, USA

Known For

Human Therapeutics

Top Products

Enbrel, Prolia, Neulasta, Otezla

Robert A. Bradway

Amgen

Chief Executive Officer since 2012

MBA from Harvard Business School

Paul Burton

Amgen

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from University of London, PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Imperial College London

Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Industry Sponsor

Trials

87

Recruited

208,000+

Joaquin Duato

Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Chief Executive Officer since 2022

MBA from ESADE Business School

John (Jack) Lawrence

Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from University of Virginia School of Medicine

Findings from Research

In a phase 3 study involving 466 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the combination of carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab (KdD) significantly improved progression-free survival compared to carfilzomib and dexamethasone alone (Kd), with a hazard ratio of 0.63, indicating a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression.

Despite a higher incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events in the KdD group (82%) compared to the Kd group (74%), the overall safety profile was considered favorable, with similar rates of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events in both groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): results from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. Dimopoulos, M., Quach, H., Mateos, MV., et al.[2020]

In the ENDURANCE trial involving patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the combination of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) did not improve progression-free survival compared to the standard treatment of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd).

These findings suggest that KRd may not be a more effective treatment option than the current standard of care for patients with NDMM.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib Triplet Fails to Induce Superior PFS in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. Skarzynski, J.[2021]

Isatuximab combined with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) demonstrated significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) compared to daratumumab combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Dara-Rd) in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, based on a matching-adjusted indirect comparison of 179 patients from the IKEMA trial and 286 patients from the POLLUX trial.

Patients receiving Isa-Kd experienced lower rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) compared to those on Dara-Rd, indicating a potentially safer profile for Isa-Kd in this treatment setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Matching-adjusted indirect comparison of isatuximab plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma. Richter, J., Lin, PL., Garcia-Horton, V., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 792 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, the combination of carfilzomib with lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly improved progression-free survival, with a median of 26.3 months compared to 17.6 months for the control group.

The carfilzomib group also showed a higher overall response rate (87.1% vs. 66.7%) and better health-related quality of life, indicating a favorable risk-benefit profile despite similar rates of serious adverse events between the two groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma. Stewart, AK., Rajkumar, SV., Dimopoulos, MA., et al.[2022]

The combination therapy of daratumumab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-KRd) was well tolerated in a study of 22 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, with a high overall response rate of 95%.

Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild, with the most common being diarrhea and lymphopenia, and infusion-related reactions were primarily mild, indicating a favorable safety profile for D-KRd therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daratumumab Plus Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. Jakubowiak, A., Usmani, SZ., Krishnan, A., et al.[2022]

Lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone has been shown to be effective for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, and it has received approval from both the FDA and EMA for patients who have undergone at least one prior therapy.

The most common serious side effects include cytopenias and infections, but an expert panel has provided management strategies to minimize these risks, ensuring that patients can receive the full benefits of the treatment without unnecessary dose reductions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Palumbo, A., Dimopoulos, M., San Miguel, J., et al.[2018]

In the phase 3 CANDOR study involving 466 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the combination of carfilzomib, daratumumab, and dexamethasone (KdD) demonstrated a significantly longer median progression-free survival of 28.6 months compared to 15.2 months for carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd), indicating KdD's potential as a new standard-of-care treatment.

While KdD showed improved efficacy, it was associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events (87% in KdD vs. 76% in Kd), including thrombocytopenia and pneumonia, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of patients receiving this combination therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): updated outcomes from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. Usmani, SZ., Quach, H., Mateos, MV., et al.[2022]

In a phase 2 study involving 46 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the quadruplet regimen of elotuzumab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (Elo-KRd) achieved a stringent complete response (sCR) and/or measurable residual disease (MRD)-negativity rate of 58% after 8 cycles, indicating significant efficacy without the need for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

The study demonstrated a 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 72% overall, and an impressive 92% for patients who achieved MRD-negativity, suggesting that MRD-guided therapy could allow for reduced treatment exposure while maintaining effective outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elotuzumab and Weekly Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Without Transplant Intent: A Phase 2 Measurable Residual Disease-Adapted Study. Derman, BA., Kansagra, A., Zonder, J., et al.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): results from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib Triplet Fails to Induce Superior PFS in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Matching-adjusted indirect comparison of isatuximab plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daratumumab Plus Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): updated outcomes from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elotuzumab and Weekly Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Without Transplant Intent: A Phase 2 Measurable Residual Disease-Adapted Study. [2023]